Khalistani terrorist aide Sukhdool Singh killed in Canada in gangwar, say reports

Amidst the ongoing diplomatic spat between India and Canada, reports indicate that Sukhdool Singh, aka Sukha Duneke, a member of the Davinder Bambiha gang from Punjab's Moga district, was killed during an inter-gang conflict in Winnipeg, Canada. 

He was an aide of the Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, who is also wanted in India.

This incident bears a resemblance to the killing of the wanted terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 19, which has strained relations between the two nations late.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had raised concerns about a potential link between the Indian government and Nijjar's assassination, sparking a diplomatic dispute. India dismissed these allegations as "absurd" and "motivated," leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries.

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Who was Sukha Duneke?

• Sukhdool Singh, aka Sukha Duneke, had fled to Canada from India in 2017, using forged documents, despite having seven criminal cases registered against him in India.
• His escape was facilitated by two police officials, who were later apprehended by the Punjab police.
• Duneke was an A-category criminal, with a wide range of charges, from murder to many other heinous crimes.
• He was also among the 43 on the NIA's list of individuals with links to Khalistani terrorists. Most of these 43 are said to be living in Canada.

Growing diplomatic tensions

• Canada is not the only country providing refuge to individuals linked to the Punjab region's criminal underworld.
• There are at least 29 such gangsters who have sought shelter outside India to evade law enforcement, many of them using Indian passports or forged travel documents.
• Among these countries, Canada has emerged as a prominent destination, harbouring fugitives with ties to criminal activities and organizations, including the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

Warnings and advisories

• In response to the diplomatic standoff, both India and Canada have issued advisories for their citizens living in each other's countries.
• Indian nationals and students in Canada have been urged to "exercise utmost caution" due to the rising anti-India activities, politically condoned hate crimes, and violence in Canada.
• Retaliating to it, the Canadian government also issued a similar advisory for its citizens in India.

Efforts and investigations

• In the wake of Sukha Duneke's death and the heightened diplomatic tensions, law enforcement agencies in Punjab have intensified their efforts to apprehend gang members involved in criminal activities across the state.
• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in India has also launched investigations into terror-gangster networks, releasing lists of individuals wanted in connection with these networks.

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