The banned Khalistani outfit ‘Sikhs for Justice’ (SFJ) has leveled serious accusations against the Russian Embassy in Canada, alleging its involvement in the assassination of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The claims, made public on Wednesday, December 18, suggest a coordinated effort between the Russian Embassy and India’s intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RA&W), to track and eliminate Nijjar.

According to SFJ, the Russian Embassy allegedly “hacked the Telegram account of Nijjar in May 2023” and shared the information obtained from it with RA&W. This, as per the outfit, played a critical role in facilitating the targeted assassination of Nijjar. The allegations have raised concerns over potential cross-border collaborations in intelligence operations against Khalistani figures.

The SFJ did not stop there. The outfit further accused the Russian Embassy of aiding RA&W in pinpointing the location of terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The group claims this information was part of a “foiled murder-for-hire plot” aimed at eliminating Pannun, another prominent proponent of the Khalistani movement.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on his part, has accused high-ranking Indian diplomats stationed in the United States and Canada of overseeing surveillance operations and managing spy networks to “monitor” and “suppress” Khalistani activities in these countries. Such allegations intensify the ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding the controversial Khalistani movement.

To escalate its efforts, SFJ announced a $25,000 reward for any information leading to the whereabouts of Russian Ambassador Oleg V. Stepanov in Canada and Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra in the United States. This announcement adds a dramatic twist to the already contentious international dispute.

Notably, Pannun had previously issued threats against Russian missions worldwide and accused media outlets like RT India and Sputnik India of spreading “disinformation campaigns” against the Khalistan movement. These threats have further strained relations between Khalistani supporters and international diplomatic entities.

While these claims by SFJ remain unverified, they continue to fuel geopolitical friction and raise questions about the methods employed to counter separatist movements. The accusations highlight the complex interplay of intelligence operations, international diplomacy, and separatist activism that defines the Khalistan debate on the global stage.

Response of the Russian Embassy

The Russian Embassy in Canada has strongly rejected the allegations made by the banned Khalistani outfit ‘Sikhs for Justice’ (SFJ). Referring to the claims as baseless and absurd, the embassy dismissed the accusations as an attempt to provoke international tensions and tarnish its image.

In an official statement, the embassy emphasized its concerns over the SFJ’s activities, stating, “We will raise the issue of this group’s dangerous activities with Global Affairs Canada and the RCMP. Tracking chiefs of foreign missions and offering a reward for such actions is absolutely unacceptable and could be seen as a step toward planning a terrorist attack.” This remark highlights the embassy’s serious apprehensions regarding the security threats posed by the Khalistani outfit’s declarations.

The Russian Embassy further stressed the importance of adhering to diplomatic norms and safeguarding its personnel, adding, “We will request law enforcement action against this group and also seek enhanced protection for the Embassy, as required by the Government of Canada under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.” By invoking the Vienna Convention, the embassy underscored the responsibility of host nations to ensure the security of foreign diplomatic missions and their staff.

This response not only refutes the SFJ’s allegations but also shifts attention toward the group’s provocative actions, which the embassy suggests could escalate into acts of violence. The statement reveals growing concerns over the implications of such threats on international diplomacy and security.