India Combats Terrorism and Honors Victims in Vancouver: Memorial Service Planned for Air India Flight 182 Bombing Victims

India is actively involved in combating terrorism and collaborates with other nations to address this global threat, according to India’s Consulate General in Vancouver. This statement was made in response to Canada’s parliament observing a moment of silence in memory of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Khalistani terrorist who was murdered outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023. Canadian authorities have arrested four Indian nationals in connection with the murder.

In addition to addressing current terrorism concerns, India is also paying tribute to the victims of past terror-related incidents. The Consulate General of India in Vancouver announced that a memorial service will be held on June 23 at the Air India Memorial at Stanley Park in Vancouver. This event is being organized to remember the victims of the Air India Flight 182 bombing, which occurred on June 23, 1985. This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 329 people, including 86 children, making it one of the worst terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation.

The bombing of Air India Flight 182 was attributed to Sikh militants in response to ‘Operation Bluestar’. The majority of the victims on board the flight were Canadians of Indian descent. These events have strained the relationship between India and Canada, particularly regarding the handling of Khalistan terrorists on Canadian soil. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations of potential Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing have been dismissed by India as baseless and biased. However, India has emphasized the importance of addressing pro-Khalistan elements as a key issue between the two countries.