World

Top Pak diplomat holds secret meeting with Sikh radicals in Canada to fuel anti-India  movement

More evidence has surfaced to show that Pakistan is continuing with its insidious policy of inciting Sikh radicals to carry out anti-India activities in Canada.

According to sources, Pakistan’s Consul General Janbaz Khan visited two pro-Khalistan Gurudwaras in the Surrey suburb of Vancouver ostensibly to thank the office-bearers for their donations to flood relief in Pakistan.

The timing of the visit coincided with the so-called “Sikh Referendum” held on September 18 by extremist elements in Brampton, Ontario. The top Pakistani diplomat was accompanied by two of his colleagues and held secret meetings with pro-Khalistan radicals to express support for their cause.

Khan has also served as Pakistan’s High Commissioner in New Delhi and has first-hand knowledge of India’s socio-economic milieu which helps him to mix around with the people albeit as an agent provocateur.

The top Pakistani diplomat met the office-bearers of Sri Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara and Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey who are known for their anti-India views.

An aggressive extremist group backed by Pakistan’s notorious ISI has taken control of the management of the gurudwaras with the silent majority choosing to avoid any confrontation with them.

The president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has a Rs 10 lakh bounty on his head as he is wanted in four cases by India’s anti-terror agency NIA. The cases include the conspiracy of carrying out targeted killings in Punjab as part of which a Hindu priest was also killed at Phillaur in Punjab.

A dossier prepared by the Punjab police reveals that Nijjar was a close associate of Jagtar Singh Tara earlier based in Pakistan in 2012. He visited Pakistan in April 2012 to meet Tara. Nijjar raised a Khalistan Tiger Force module in Punjab by motivating Parminder Kala, a resident of Mughal Majri in Ropar district for targeting Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawala and Sanjeev Ghanouli, a Shiv Sena leader, for their alleged anti-panthic activities.

In December 2015 Nijjar reportedly organised an arms training camp in Mission Hills, BC, Canada wherein Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal originally a resident of Chak Kalan in the Ludhiana district, and 3 other youths were imparted training to use AK-47assault rifles, sniper rifles, and pistols. Mandeep was sent to Punjab in January 2016 to carry out targeted killings but he was arrested in June before he could execute the plan.

The Justin Trudeau government officially communicated to India on September 16 that it does not recognise the so-called referendum and respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India. However, at the same time due to its political compulsions, the Canadian government has done little to curb anti-India tendencies amongst a section of the radicalised Sikh community.

New Delhi has lodged a strong protest with Canada as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not do anything to stop an illegal “referendum” on Khalistan in Brampton on September 18, conducted by a proscribed organisation Sikhs For Justice.

India is expected to take a tougher diplomatic position to drive home its message to Canada that they need to do much more to curb the anti-India activities of some radical Sikhs living in the country.

Both External Affairs Minister S. Jaishakar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval are reported to be formulating stronger diplomatic measures to let Canada know that it cannot take India for granted.

Rajinder S Taggar

Guest writer

Recent Posts

“Whatever the verdict, our relationship with US will only grow”: EAM Jaishankr on US Presidential Elections

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a joint presser with his Australian Counterpart Penny Wong,…

1 hour ago

‘Political space given to extremist forces’: EAM Jaishankar on attacks on Hindu temples in Canada

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar expressed concerns about the recent attacks on the Hindu temples…

3 hours ago

Coast Guard Chief S Paramesh calls on Navy Chief Admiral, deliberates on ICG’s operational readiness

Indian Coast Guard Chief Director General S Paramesh has called on Indian Navy Chief Admiral…

3 hours ago

North Korea launches short-range ballistic missiles ahead of US elections

Just a few hours ahead of the presidential polls in the United States, North Korea…

3 hours ago

Brampton: Thousands take out solidarity rally against attacks on Hindu temples in Canada

Over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on…

4 hours ago

Jaishankar meets Australian counterpart Penny Wong for Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue in Canberra

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was welcomed by Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, at the…

4 hours ago