Has Khalistani Extremist Inderjit Singh Gosal Been Arrested in Canada?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Inderjit Singh Gosal arrested in Ottawa.
- Close aide of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
- Facing multiple firearms charges.
- Highlights tensions between India and Canada.
- Efforts to combat terrorism are ongoing.
Ottawa, Sep 22 (NationPress) Khalistani extremist Inderjit Singh Gosal, known for his close association with terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has reportedly been detained in Ottawa on multiple charges concerning firearms possession, according to several reports released on Monday.
Gosal gained notoriety as a principal Canadian organizer for the US-based Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.
This arrest marks the second occasion within a year that Canadian authorities have apprehended him, as reported by NDTV.
Gosal was initially taken into custody last November for his involvement in a violent episode at a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where he allegedly assaulted Hindu-Canadian worshippers.
He was subsequently granted conditional release by Peel Regional Police (PRP).
The 36-year-old is considered one of the closest allies of Pannun, the designated terrorist and leader of SFJ, and has also acted as his Personal Security Officer (PSO).
Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen from Punjab, was labeled an “individual terrorist” by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in July 2020, a year after his organization was banned and classified as a terrorist group.
Indian authorities have initiated over 100 cases against SFJ and Pannun, nearly 60 of which are filed in Punjab alone.
Gosal's arrest occurs amid a renewed collaborative effort between India and Canada aimed at enhancing bilateral relations, including increased cooperation to tackle terrorism and transnational crime.
This development also aligns with the recent normalization of diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Ottawa, which had deteriorated in 2023 when then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged an Indian connection to the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India has categorically denied these claims, labeling them as “absurd” and “motivated”, accusing Ottawa of harboring extremist and anti-India factions within its borders.
On Thursday, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin engaged in extensive discussions in New Delhi, focusing on mending strained ties, with terrorism and security collaboration being key topics.