Police make arrests in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar

Canadian police have arrested members of an alleged hit squad investigators believe was tasked by the government of India with killing prominent Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.

Members of the hit squad are alleged to have played different roles as shooters, drivers and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, according to the sources.

Federal Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc congratulated the RCMP on the arrests and called Friday's developments "significant progress" in trying to get to the bottom of the circumstances around Nijjar's killing.

CBC News learned of the arrests — as well as other information that was not announced by police on Friday — through extensive discussions with senior investigative and government sources, as well as members of the Sikh community.

Nijjar, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen, was shot dead on June 18, shortly after evening prayers at his Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C., in what appeared to be a highly coordinated attack, according to video of the incident obtained by CBC's The Fifth Estate.

IHIT Superintendent Mandeep Mooker speaks during a press conference announcing the arrest of 3 individuals related to the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar at RCMP 'E' division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Friday May 3, 2024.