Canadian Police release images of KDS gurdwara vandalism suspects
Vancouver: Canadian Police have released images of a vehicle and two people who were outside the Khalsa Diwan Society (KDS) Gurdwara on Ross Street in Vancouver when it was vandalised last week.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) sought public assistance to identify the individuals as they investigated the matter.
On April 19, the prominent KDS gurdwara in Canada was vandalised with pro-Khalistan graffiti, sparking outrage among the local Sikh community.
"We believe these people may have information about this crime and what the motivation was. We ask anyone who recognises the people in these pictures, or the vehicle, to come forward and speak with our investigators," said VPD Sergeant Steve Addison.
According to the police department, investigators from the major crime section of the department who have been collecting and analysing evidence from the crime scene and the surrounding neighbourhood, have obtained images of a white pickup and two people who were in the area at the time.
"Police believe the truck drove through the area around the time of the offence, between approximately 4 and 4:30 a.m. on April 19. Two people, who are believed to be associated with the truck, then walked near the front entrance of the temple. One person was wearing a yellow cap, yellow jacket, and black pants. The other was wearing a grey hoodie with black pants," read the VPD statement.
The police department further stated that it initiated a criminal investigation on April 19 after suspects spray-painted on the walls outside of the gurdwara, adding that the graffiti was written in both English and Punjabi.
Last week, in a statement, the KDS condemned the act, describing it as a deliberate attempt to spread fear and division within the community.
"A small group of Sikh separatists, advocating for Khalistan, defaced our sacred walls with divisive slogans like 'Khalistan Zindabad'," the gurdwara said.
"This act is part of an ongoing campaign by extremist forces that seek to instil fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community. Their actions undermine the values of inclusivity, respect, and mutual support that are foundational to both Sikhism and Canadian society," it added.
Following the recent vandalism of a Gurudwara in Vancouver, British Columbia, another disturbing incident surfaced where the Khlistanis targeted the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Surrey.
Canadian MP Chandra Arya strongly condemned the incident, stating, "The attacks on Hindu temples that began several years ago continue unabated today -- this latest graffiti on the Hindu temple is yet another chilling reminder of the growing influence of Khalistani extremism."
Arya warned of a larger, coordinated effort behind such acts: "Well-organised, well-funded, and backed by significant political clout. Khalistani elements are brazenly asserting their dominance and successfully silencing Hindu voices across Canada."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Vehicles torched, cops injured in Bengal: What triggered the chaos?
Security has been tightened in West Bengal's Maheshtala following violent clashes between a mob and police personnel on Wednesday that left five officers injured and led to the torching of vehicles and widespread unrest, The Times of India reported. The violence unfolded in the Rabindranagar-Akra area, under the jurisdiction of the Rabindranagar Police Station, when a mob suddenly turned violent during a protest, pelting stones at the police. In response, officers, overwhelmed and outnumbered, resorted to a lathicharge and deployed tear gas to bring the situation under control. Among the injured was DC (Port) Harikrishna Pai, who, along with four other police personnel, sustained injuries during the scuffle. Two government vehicles were also reportedly damaged, and a motorcycle was set ablaze as clashes escalated. Reinforcements were called in swiftly, and senior officers led riot control teams to disperse the crowd. After regrouping near Santoshpur, the mob once again clashed with police forces, leading to another round of violence. However, after a sustained effort involving chase and crowd control measures, law enforcement successfully restored order in the affected areas. Meanwhile, patrolling has been intensified, and four individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence. What triggered the violence in West Bengal's Maheshtala? According to the report, the unrest stemmed from a simmering land dispute. Tensions flared when a group hastily constructed a 'tulsi mancha' at a location where a member of a minority community previously ran a shop. The shopkeeper was reportedly away celebrating Eid, and the other group alleged that the shop was built illegally on land belonging to a temple. Before authorities could intervene, the dispute spiraled into a violent confrontation, including road blockades and attacks on police officers. What did BJP, TMC say? Leader of the Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari slammed the incident and said that the victims of the violence were from Hindu families. He also demanded immediate deployment of central forces in the area. 'Several police personnel were injured in the violence, and many police vehicles were torched. We demand immediate deployment of central forces in the area to save and protect people,' Adhikari said. In a post on X, Adhikari further stated, 'I have approached the SP of Diamond Harbour Police District and DGP @WBPolice so that today, I along with one MLA can visit Maheshtala under Rabindranagar Police Station to meet and express solidarity with the victims of the Hindu families and the affected Hindu shopkeepers who came under the attack of the Jihadis yesterday. This visit is a step towards understanding their grievances and ensuring their voices are heard. I hope that the Administration does not obstruct my visit.' Countering the BJP's claims, Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh dismissed suggestions that the incident was indicative of a breakdown in law and order. 'The incident in Maheshtala is not related to the overall law and order situation. However, the incident is unfortunate and highly condemnable. The police acted very responsibly and did not take any step to aggravate the situation,' Ghosh said. As of now, the West Bengal police have not issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, security forces remain on high alert, and patrols continue across sensitive zones in Maheshtala to prevent any further escalation.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Ex-CIA Analyst Jailed For Over 3 Years For Leaking Classified Information
Washington: A former CIA analyst who pleaded guilty in January over a leak of classified Israeli plans to strike Iran was sentenced to 37 months in prison on Wednesday, the US Department of Justice said. In pleading guilty, Asif William Rahman, who had worked at the US intelligence agency since 2016, acknowledged that he illegally downloaded, printed and distributed classified information on multiple occasions, including several in 2024. Why it's important US ally Israel and its regional rival Iran were in the midst of high tensions at the time and exchanged some blows. Israel at the time was preparing to strike some Iranian sites in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack that the Iranian government said was a response to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination by Israel in Tehran. Context Rahman had a "Top Secret" security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) until his employment was terminated after his arrest in late 2024. The documents, which entailed plans by Israel to strike Iran, later appeared online after a pro-Iranian Telegram account called "Middle East Spectator" published them. Rahman, 34, is from Vienna, Virginia, and was arrested in Cambodia, according to court records. Key quote "Asif Rahman violated his position of trust by illegally accessing, removing, and transmitting Top Secret documents vital to the national security of the United States and its allies," Erik Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said on Wednesday.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Who was Kamal Kaur? Know about the Punjabi influencer found dead in car in Bathinda's Adesh Medical University
Know about Kamal Kaur: A murder inquiry was started after Kamal Kaur, a well-known Punjabi influencer with over 3.8 lakh Instagram followers, was discovered dead inside a locked automobile close to Adesh Medical University in Bathinda. Her strange death, which was discovered after people noted a foul odor, has horrified her fan following and the community at large. She is well-known for her daring and frequently provocative flicks under the character of "Kamal Kaur Bhabhi." Punjab Police have summoned forensic specialists and initiated immediate investigations because authorities now believe the body was discarded after death. Tensions are high as concerns about motivations abound, particularly in light of alleged threats from foreign figures. The online community closely monitors the case, which has become both scary and viral, as detectives piece together her last movements in an effort to find answers. Who was Kamal Kaur? Kamal Kaur, a Ludhiana resident, had over 3.83 lakh Instagram followers. She had a reputation for sharing reels often, some of which caused controversy. She was recognizable on social media thanks to her online persona. She was thought to be in her mid-30s. Kaur, who is well-known for her audacious and funny reels, has reportedly faced threats and criticism for her use of profanity and double-entendre material. She allegedly received threats in 2024 to cease releasing "vulgar" videos from people connected to Arsh Dalla, a Khalistani extremist located in Canada. Even if the threats were severe, no official complaint was ever made. Three days prior to her passing, she made her final Instagram post. According to police, Kaur told her mother she was heading to Bathinda for a promotional event on June 9 before leaving her Ludhiana home. About Kamal Kaur's social media presence With a growing Instagram following of about 383,000, Kamal Kaur was a budding influencer who posted daring and frequently contentious clips under the handle "Kamal Kaur Bhabhi." Despite occasionally divisive views, she garnered a devoted following and considerable recognition for her honest perspectives on Punjabi culture and societal issues. Her profile (@kamalkur9179) had 110,400 followers and an interaction rate of little less than 0.6%, with an average of about 629 likes and 34 comments on each post, according to digital analytics providers. Although precise figures differ slightly throughout sites, she was undoubtedly a prominent and active user on Punjabi social media. Also Read: Who was Ananda Lewis? Know about the Former MTV VJ who died due to stage 4 breast cancer at 52 Kamal Kaur's tragic death in her mid-30s #WATCH | Punjab | Body of Ludhiana-based social media influencer, Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur, found in her own car, in Bathinda, Narinder Singh says, "Yesterday evening, we received a call that a car was parked in Adesh Hospital and some foul smell was coming… The police claim that the car in which her body was discovered is registered in the region of Ludhiana. According to preliminary evidence, Kaur might have been murdered somewhere else before her body was taken and left in the vehicle at the university parking lot. People in the area were alerted to the car's strong, terrible odor, which prompted them to phone the police, which brought the incident to light. When responding police arrived, they discovered Kaur's dead body inside. Shortly after, her identification was verified, and the car's registration information allowed it to be tracked down to Ludhiana. A forensic team has been sent to investigate the location and gather evidence, according to Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police Amneet Kondal. On the surface, it appears that something is amiss. According to the Times of India, Kondal said, "We are treating this as a case of murder and a FIR is being registered accordingly." The motive for the suspected murder and the identities of the individuals involved are still being investigated. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
