BC Gurdwaras Council authorities have claimed that Simarnjeet Singh, a Khalistan supporter and a close associate of slain Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was the target of the South Surrey residence shooting on Thursday. Simarnjeet narrowly escaped the shots that were fired at his residence.
The Surrey RCMP on February 1 informed that shots were fired at a residence in the 2800-block of 154 Street at approximately 1:21 AM. The police said no injuries were reported. Surrey RCMP did not reveal any details regarding the shooting or the identity of the victim.
However, a press conference was organized at Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara located on Scott Road and 70th Avenue, by BC Gurdwaras Council to inform that the victim of the targeted shooting was Simranjeet Singh, a close friend of Nijjar and a well-known member of Surrey Gurdwara. Nijjar was shot to death in the parking lot of the same gurdwara in 2022.
Moninder Singh spoke on behalf of the Council at the gurdwara’s new building which is named after Hardeep Nijjar. He said that the purpose of the conference was to give details about the shooting and why Simarnjeet Singh was the target.
Moninder informed that on Thursday at 1:20 AM Simranjeet’s home was shot with 20 bullets. “Two shooters went to the scene and hid for a few minutes. One of the shooters shot Simranjeet’s car and front of his house, and the other shooter shot the front of the door. The firing happened 10 minutes after he came to his home and entered his living room. They nearly missed him and missed his young son who was sleeping on the second floor.”
Moninder said it was a matter of serious concern considering what has happened in the past six months when Gurdwara president Nijjar was shot to death.
Canadian Prime Minister Justine Trudeau said that Canada has some credible information that India was behind the killing. India, however, rejected the charges by Canada, deeming them as “absurd and motivated.”
Moninder linked this shooting with India too, dismissing any connection to criminal activities or gang wars. Calling Simranjeet Singh a well-known community member, a close friend, and an associate of Nijjar, Moninder said Simranjeet’s active involvement with the Khalistan issue might be the reason he was targeted. “He’s a long-standing member, an upstanding citizen, he’s a family man with young children, no criminal record, no background, no anything that would link him to any kind of criminal activity,” Moninder said. “Simranjeet has actively volunteered during Khalistan Referendums. Since he has no criminal record or related to any criminal activity, we are very sure in our minds that this shooting is not related to any gang war or extortion but it is political.”
Moninder also informed that Simranjeet had approached police on several occasions reporting cars being parked outside his house or he being under surveillance. RCMP has yet to confirm any information regarding the shooting.
“Police remained in the area, examining the scene, speaking with witnesses and canvassing the neighbourhood for CCTV footage. The Surrey RCMP Major Crime Section has conduct of the investigation and investigators believe this was an isolated incident. Officers are still working to determine the motive of this incident,” said Cpl. Sarbjit K. Sangha, Surrey RCMP.
Moninder further added that this incident has again raised the need to renew their demands with the Canadian government. “One of the primary demands is that the public inquiry into India’s interference in Canada should not be limited to electoral interference but should be extended to ongoing interference in the Canadian Sikh community’s affairs.” He also demanded that foreign intelligence sharing between India and Canada should be evidence-based.
