RCMP Confiscates Guns From Surrey Home Tied To Pro-Khalistani Figure

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Canadian law enforcement in Surrey, British Columbia, has confiscated several firearms from a residence following the circulation of a video showing individuals with weapons at an event. The identities of those in the video and the residence owner have not been officially confirmed by police.

The video, which surfaced online, displayed people dancing with firearms at what is believed to be a pre-wedding ceremony. Social media has identified the homeowner as Harjit Singh Pattar, a known associate of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the pro-Khalistan figure who was assassinated on June 18 last year. According to a source familiar with Pattar, the event depicted in the video was a celebration for Pattar’s son. Pattar is reportedly linked to the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice.

On Thursday morning, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Surrey detachment became aware of the video. The South Community Response Unit (SCRU) promptly took charge of the investigation. By Thursday afternoon, SCRU confirmed the location shown in the video and initiated a Criminal Code inquiry. At approximately 5:30 PM, the SCRU seized multiple firearms from the property.

In a statement, Superintendent Harm Dosange, Community Services Officer for the Surrey RCMP, acknowledged the community’s concern. “We understand this incident was extremely alarming to the community at large,” Dosange said. “Public safety is our top priority, and our officers worked quickly to seize the firearms in question.”

The investigation into the video and the identities of those involved is ongoing. The SCRU plans to collaborate with various partner agencies to advance the probe.

Previously, reports have indicated that caches of arms linked to pro-Khalistan groups have been found in the Lower Mainland region, including Surrey. In a detailed investigation reported by the Globe and Mail in June, it was revealed that five men led by Nijjar underwent weapons and GPS training, secure communication practices, and target practice at multiple sites in the Lower Mainland in 2015.

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Prateek Levi