This happens as India and Canada grapple over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Our Bureau
Toronto
Canadian police have apprehended around 8 Sikh youths aged between 19 to 26 years in relation to possession of loaded, prohibited, or restricted firearms in Brampton City in Ontario province.
As per the Peel Regional Police, on the night of October 2, it received reports of shots fired in the area of Donald Stewart Road and Brisdale Drive in Brampton.
“With the assistance of the Tactical Unit, 8 individuals were extracted from the residence and arrested,” as per the release from Peel Regional Police on Wednesday.
Those who are charged with possession of a “Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm” include Jagdeep Singh (22), Ekamjot Randhawa (19), Manjinder Singh (26), Harpreet Singh (23), Ripanjot Singh (22), Japandeep Singh (22), Lovepreet Singh (26)– all from Brampton.
A 21-year-old Rajanpreet Singh has been charged with careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition in addition to the possession of loaded, prohibited, or restricted firearm.
A day after the incident, officers of the Criminal Investigation Bureau executed a Criminal Code Search Warrant, and a 9mm Beretta firearm was seized.
As per the police, no one suffered injuries. All of them were held for a bail hearing and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
This incident comes amidst heightened tension between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
Tensions have flared up between the two nations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.
India has strongly rejected the charges as “absurd” and “motivated”. India has also voiced its concern over the safety of Indian diplomats and India’s diplomatic premises in Canada.
