A residential neighbourhood in Surrey, B.C., became the scene of gunfire as shots were fired at a home with a child inside in the 2800 block of 154 St. on Thursday, according to the Surrey RCMP.
The incident occurred at 1:21 a.m. and is believed to be an isolated occurrence with no reported injuries.
However, the situation took a troubling turn as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the spokesman for the advocacy group Sikhs For Justice, claimed that the targeted residence belonged to a member of the Sikh independence movement.
Pannun alleges that the individual targeted is an associate of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in a shooting last June, sparking a diplomatic dispute between Canada and India.
The shooting has raised concerns within Sikh communities across Canada, as Pannun suggests a pattern of India allegedly targeting members of the Khalistani independence movement.
The frustration stems from what is perceived as a lack of proactive measures by Canadian authorities to warn individuals associated with the movement about potential risks.
Pannun told the Canadian Press that Sikh Canadians are forced to take the safety of their communities “upon themselves” due to a lack of action from authorities.
The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year has heightened tensions within the Sikh community, leading to suspicions that the recent gunfire incident may be part of a broader campaign targeting Sikh activists.
The call for greater vigilance and action from Canadian authorities is becoming more pronounced as community members fear for their safety.
Surrey RCMP reassured the public that the shooting is being treated as an isolated incident, but the ongoing tensions and recent history suggest a deeper concern within the Sikh community regarding potential threats from abroad.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ejected an Indian diplomat from Canada last year after announcing that an investigation was underway into the Indian government’s role in the June shooting of Nijjar.
