Jaishankar Pays Tribute To Victims Of Kanishka Bombing Days After Canadian Parliament Honours Khalistani Terrorist Nijjar

Days after the Canadian Parliament marked a 'moment of silence' for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday (23 June) paid tribute to the victims of the 1985 Air India flight 'Kanishka' bombing.

Jaishankar stated that the anniversary serves as a reminder of why terrorism should never be tolerated.

A bomb was planted on Air India flight 182, the Kanishka, by Khalistani terrorists on 23 June 1985, which exploded while the plane was mid-air, killing 329 passengers and crew members.

"Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the worst acts of terrorism in history. Pay my homage to the memory of the 329 victims of AI 182 ‘Kanishka’ who were killed this day in 1985. My thoughts are with their families. The anniversary is a reminder why terrorism should never be tolerated," Jaishankar wrote in a post on X.

The Indian consulate-general in Vancouver has also announced plans to hold a memorial event on 23 June evening (local time) for the victims of the 1985 Air India Kanishka flight bombing.

“India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat. 23 June 2024 marks the 39th Anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), in which 329 innocent victims, including 86 children, lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation,” the consulate-general posted on X.

This comes days after the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday (18 June) marked a moment of silence for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, who was designated as a terrorist by India in 2020, was shot dead in June last year by unknown gunmen near a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

The killing of Nijjar has resulted in strained relation between India and Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged India's involvement in Nijjar's killing, a claim India has vehemently denied.

Canada has arrested four Indian nationals, including Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh, in connection with the case.

India has consistently maintained that there has been no official or diplomatic communication from Canada regarding the Khalistani terrorist's killing or the four arrests made.

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