The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned at least three Americans active in the Sikh community that their lives were in danger in the immediate aftermath of the murder of a "Sikh activist" in Canada last June, a media report said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has blamed the apparent assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on the Indian government, as assessment that has reportedly been backed by Canadian and US intelligence sources and has created a rupture in Ottawa’s relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, The Guardian reported.
The shocking accusation that India carried out an extrajudicial murder on Canadian soil -- an allegation that has been denied by India -- has prompted a re-examination of threats against Sikh separatists around the world, as well as Sikh activists' claims of suspicious deaths in the UK and Pakistan in the weeks before the murder, the media outlet reported.
Pritpal Singh, a 69-year-old US citizen who serves as a coordinator for the American Sikh Caucus Committee, confirmed to the media outlet that he and two other associates were called by the FBI just says after the murder of Nijjar, the Canadian citizen who was ambushed on 18 June just outside his place of worship in Surrey, British Columbia.
The FBI, which must warn citizens if they learn that their lives are in danger under a legal protection known as a "duty to warn", initially told Singh that it believed his life was under threat because of unspecified intelligence. A few days later, the FBI offered Singh more specific safety instructions. The Intercept first reported the case.
The FBI also warned another American named Amarjit Singh, a 70-year-old New York-based journalist and commentator who said he was first alerted of a possible threat against his life on 22 June. Singh told the Guardian that he was contacted by the FBI as he was returning from a protest against Modi in Washington, during a state visit in which US President Joe Biden hailed the US-India relationship as “stronger, closer, and more dynamic than at any time in history”.
In an interview in which he publicly revealed details of the threat for the first time, Amarjit Singh said the initial call from the FBI was followed up a few weeks later by a longer in-person meeting, at which point he said it was obvious that authorities were warning against a possible threat on his life by India, the report added.
Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council, was one of five people – including Nijjar – who was warned by Canadian authorities in 2022 that their lives were at imminent risk, the media outlet further reported.
“We were never told what the risk was or where it was coming from. But we assumed it was India, because of our activism and outspokenness,” Singh said. “We expect them to attack us in the media, or character assassination, so this was shocking.”
More relief, medical supplies: India continues humanitarian aid to Myanmar
In a heartwarming gesture, Myo Aung, the Chief Minister of Mandalay, visited the facility, witnessing first hand the compassionate care being extended. The Indian Army shared this on X on Tuesday with a few photos.
India, Thailand bilateral trade ties set to strengthen during PM Modi's visit
The recent years saw increased investment from Thailand in India in infrastructure, real estate, agro processing, electronics, automotive, food processing sectors, the hotel hospitality sector and the renewable energy sector.
Uproar in Lok Sabha as SP leads Oppn protest over Waqf Bill
The four-day last leg of Parliament Budget Session 2025 kicked off on an acrimonious note on Tuesday with Opposition MPs forcing an adjournment in the Lok Sabha amid protests led by Samajwadi Party members over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
PM Modi and Chilean President hold bilateral talks at Hyderabad House
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at the Hyderabad House, where the two leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral engagement across economic, commerce and societal domains.
EAM Jaishankar, Chilean Prez Boric discuss long-standing bilateral ties
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday held talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font and discussed ways to strenghthen long-standing bilateral ties.
Bengal illegal factory blast: Death toll rises to 8, owners absconding
The police have started a massive search operation at Patharpratima and its adjacent areas to track the two owners of the illegal firecracker factory, Chandrakanta Banik and Tushar Banik, who have gone absconding since the blast took place at around 10 p.m. on Monday.
Commercial LPG cylinder prices cut by Rs 41 in relief for businesses
In a big relief for industries and businesses that rely heavily on cooking fuel, oil marketing companies on Tuesday announced a price cut of Rs 41 on commercial LPG gas cylinders (19 kilograms).
Yunus statement on northeastern states offensive, condemnable: Assam CM Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the statement of Bangladesh interim government’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus regarding the seven states of northeast is offensive and condemnable.