What is terrorism and how is India dealing with the terror of Khalistani terrorists? Canada is also beginning to understand this. Canadian police have now issued a statement regarding the bomb blast on the Air India Junior aircraft in an effort to heal the wounds of the victims of this terrorist incident.
On June 23, 1995, an Air India flight Kanishka was en route from Montreal, Canada via New Delhi to London, when the plane exploded before landing in London. 329 people died in this plane blast. Most of the dead were Canadian citizens of Indian origin.
The bomb blast was blamed on Sikh terrorists. The blast was allegedly carried out in revenge for the ‘Operation Bluestar’ carried out in 1984 to eliminate terrorists from the Golden Temple.
Even after 39 years, the investigation is still ongoing
Today, 39 years have passed since this blast. On its 39th anniversary, Canadian police issued a statement saying the matter was under investigation. David Tabole, Pacific Area Commander, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, described the bombing as ‘the greatest terrorist loss affecting and involving Canadians’ in the country’s history and offered his deepest sympathies and support to the families of the victims.
“The Air India investigation is the longest and certainly the most complex domestic terrorism investigation ever undertaken in the history of the RCMP,” Tabole said. “Our investigative efforts are active and ongoing,” he said.
The Kanishka eruption affected generations
He emphasized that the impact of the bombings ‘has not diminished with time’ and that the trauma caused by them affects generations. “We must never forget the innocent lives lost in this tragedy and other incidents of terrorism,” he said.
The Consulate General of India in Vancouver has also organized a commemorative event to commemorate the Kanishka bombings, one of the worst terrorist attacks in aviation history. The tribute meeting, organized by India, is taking place amid tension in India’s relations with Canada over the issue of Khalistan militants.
Differences between India and Canada on terrorism
In September last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as ‘absurd and motivated’. India says the main issue between the two countries is that Canada is allowing pro-Khalistan elements operating from its soil without any restrictions.
India has repeatedly expressed its “deep concern” to Canada and New Delhi hopes that Ottawa will take strict action against such elements.
Tags: Canada, Khalistani terrorist
First published: June 23, 2024, 08:02 IST