Canada-Based Khalistan Operative Behind 2020 Murder of Shaurya Chakra Awardee: NIA To SC

National Investigation ncy (NIA) has informed Supreme Court that a “Canada-based Khalistan operative masterminded 2020 murder of Shaurya Chakra awardee Comrade Balwinder Singh Sandhu in Punjab.” ncy’s submission pertains to ongoing investigation into Sandhu’s assassination, which occurred at his residence-cum-school in Bhikhiwind.

NIA's affidavit reveals that Sukhmeet Pal Singh, also kwn as Sukh Bhikariwal, and Sunny Toronto, an operative of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) in Canada, along with Lakhveer Singh Rode, nephew of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and head of International Sikh Youth Federation, were pivotal in planning crime. ncy claims that conspiracy aimed to eliminate anti-Khalistani figures in India as part of a broader strategy to revive separatist movement through violence.

Sunny Toronto allegedly initiated plan to target Sandhu, viewing him as a significant threat to ir nda. He had been in contact with Inderjit Singh, a radicalized Punjab resident, who facilitated links between local and overseas KLF operatives.

NIA has emphasized that this assassination is part of a wider effort by KLF to instigate unrest in Punjab by polarizing communities along communal lines. In recent hearings, ncy reiterated its stance against granting bail to accused, underscoring organized nature of conspiracy aimed at destabilizing region.

" main objective of Khalistan Liberation Force is to create Khalistan by means of an armed struggle," NIA said in its affidavit.

se revelations come amid heightened scrutiny of Canadian government’s stance on Khalistan movement, which has been accused of fostering terrorism and violence in India.