Two Indian Punjabi youths shot dead in targeted attack in Canada
Observers warn of risks to Khalistan activists amid pattern of targeted killings
Mansa/Edmonton: Two youths from villages near Budhlada in Punjab, India, were shot dead in southeast Edmonton, Canada, police and family sources said.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the deceased have been identified as Gurdeep Singh of Bareh village and Ranbir Singh of Uddat Saidewala village. Both had travelled to Canada separately seeking better career opportunities.
Family sources said that the two youths were on their way to celebrate a friend’s birthday when unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire on them. Arshdeep, a friend of Gurdeep Singh, informed the family about the incident.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said it received reports of gunshots around 1:43 am on Friday in the area of 32 Street and 26 Avenue. Officers found the two men, believed to be in their twenties, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by police and emergency medical services, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The EPS Homicide Section has taken over the investigation, and autopsies are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Police have described the incident as a targeted attack and are searching for a dark-coloured sports utility vehicle (SUV) that may have been in the area at the time of the shooting.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Indian Punjabi community in Canada, highlighting concerns over safety and targeted violence among overseas youth.
Observers note that such incidents echo a history of targeted killings of Sikh activists from the Khalistan movement, many of whom were assassinated abroad. Analysts warn that similar tactics could be employed against overseas Punjabi youth supporting Khalistan.
