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The Print
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Kanishka bombing: Canada police finally know who 'Mr X' was but name withheld citing privacy laws
On 23 June 1985, a mid-air bomb explosion on Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland left all 329 people on board dead. En route from Montreal to Mumbai via London, the aircraft had Canadian citizens of Indian origin as the majority of its passengers. On Saturday, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, while not identifying 'Mr X', confirmed his death during an event marking 40 years since the bombing, with dozens of relatives of the victims attending the memorial. New Delhi: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has finally uncovered the identity of 'Mr X', a man involved in testing a bomb in Vancouver Island only weeks before the Kanishka bombing, but has not revealed it, citing Canadian privacy laws. For the longest time during the Kanishka bombing probe, investigators kept identifying one of the men behind the testing of the bomb as 'Mr X' because they could not pin down who he was. He reportedly died not very long ago without facing any charges, according to Canadian police. The revelation comes at a time when diplomatic relations between Canada and India have shown signs of recovery. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada earlier this month. During the summit, India and Canada 'agreed to take calibrated and constructive steps to restore stability' in their relationship, starting with the 'early return of High Commissioners' to the each other's capitals. Bilateral ties had been under strain since former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of killing Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year. India had rejected the accusation, calling it 'absurd'. However, soon, there was a pullback in diplomatic ties between the two countries. India then suspended visas for Canadians, and both countries expelled each other's diplomats in a tit-for-tat move. In his address at the memorial Saturday, David Teboul said that after the acquittals of key Kanishka bombing suspects in 2005, investigators had continued to work the case in the hopes of resolving 'loose ends', eventually finding out the identity of the man, who helped test the type of bomb that brought down the AI flight 40 years ago. According to the RCMP, 'Mr X' travelled to Duncan, Vancouver Island, with the Kanishka bombing mastermind, Talwinder Singh Parmar, on 4 June, 1985. The two men joined Inderjit Singh Reyat, an electrician by profession, and went deep into a wooded area to test an improvised explosive device (IED). Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) agents reportedly surveilled the trio after they heard an explosion in the area but mistakenly believed the sound to be coming from a gunshot and could not accuse the three of any wrongdoing. Inderjit Singh Reyat, the only person ever convicted in the bombing, pleaded guilty to aiding in the construction of the bomb that exploded on AI-182 but claimed that he did not know the identity of 'Mr X'. During the trial, Reyat committed perjury, which led to a longer sentence. Reyat has since served his time in prison and is now out of jail. Talwinder Singh Parmar, the alleged mastermind of the bombing and founder of the banned Babbar Khalsa separatist group, was killed in a shootout with Punjab police in 1992. During the memorial, David Teboul noted that while the investigation had continued, 'there was very little realistic chance of seeing the matter go to another trial'. He added that the Kanishka bombing had been the 'largest act of terrorism' in the history of Canada. 'So we, RCMP, have an obligation to memorialise it and pay respect every year,' Teboul told the assembled gathering. A bomb in a suitcase set off mid-air in Air India Flight 182, killing 329 people, 307 passengers and 22 crew members. On board were 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens, and 4 Indian citizens. The majority were of Indian ancestry. Soon after, a second bomb on another Air India flight exploded prematurely at Tokyo's Narita airport, killing two baggage handlers. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: 'Air India ki flight mat lo' — how Canadian neglect led up to Kanishka bombing 38 yrs ago
The Province
2 days ago
- The Province
RCMP finally identifies Air India bomb-testing suspect
However, the mysterious Mr. X, who police said helped test a bomb on Vancouver Island a few weeks before the twin terror attacks, has died RCMP Asst. Commissioner David Teboul says RCMP have identified the mysterious Mr. X who helped test the bomb that shattered Air India Flight 182 in 1985, but that man has died. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG BANTRY, Ireland — Police in British Columbia have finally identified the mysterious man who helped test a bomb on Vancouver Island a few weeks before the Air India bombing on June 23, 1985. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors RCMP Asst. Commissioner David Teboul told Postmedia that the previously unidentified suspect in the mass murder case recently died without ever facing charges. He said he couldn't release the name of the man due to privacy laws even though he's now dead. Teboul and several other RCMP officers are part of the Canadian delegation here to mark the 40th anniversary of the Air India bombing. Dozens of relatives of victims are arriving to attend the service at a memorial to the 329 people who died when a B.C.-made bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland. Leading the Canadian delegation will be federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin is scheduled to attend, along with local officials and a representative of the Indian government. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Teboul, who is the commander of federal policing in B.C., said that despite the acquittals of two key bombing suspects in 2005, investigators have continued to work on the file 'to tie up some loose ends and discover more truth that's independent of judicial process.' That's what lead them to uncover the identity of the mystery suspect, dubbed Mr. X, who travelled to Duncan on June 4, 1985, with terror plot mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar. The two men then joined up with electrician Inderjit Singh Reyat. The trio went into the woods and tested a bomb all while they were being followed by agents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The agents heard the blast but thought it was a gunshot. Parmar, founder of the Babbar Khalsa Sikh separatist group, was killed by police in Punjab in 1992 before he could be charged in the Air India terrorism plot. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Reyat was convicted of manslaughter for building another bomb that exploded at Japan's Narita Airport 54 minutes before the Air India blast. Two baggage handlers were killed. And he pleaded guilty to assisting Mr. X and Parmar build the Air India bomb. But he testified at the trial of his co-accused that he didn't know X's name. He was later convicted of perjury. Relatives and friends of Air Indian victims at the memorial in the seaside village of Ahakista in Ireland, in 2004. Special to The Vancouver Sun Teboul said that while there is an continuing investigation 'there's very little realistic chance of seeing this matter go to another trial.' But officers are doing administrative work like returning exhibits and working with families to better memorialize the victims. The RCMP is working with the federal Global Affairs Department to get an agreement with the government of India to allow pieces of the Boeing 747 recovered from the ocean to remain in Canada as part of a permanent exhibit or memorial, he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's important for Canadian investigators who worked on the case to attend the memorial here 'out of respect for the families, out of respect and remembrance of the victims,' said Teboul, who is on his third trip to the seaside memorial at Ahakista, Ireland. 'This is the largest act of terrorism in the history of Canada, so we — the RCMP — have an obligation to memorialize it and pay respect every year.' He has developed close ties with Irish first responders who pulled as many of the victims' bodies out of the sea as they could that day. 'It was really a Canadian tragedy, first and foremost. But it was also an Irish tragedy. A lot of Irish folks have been very invested in it through the last 40 years,' Teboul said. 'It's part of their history. So there's a lot of emotions there.' kbolan@ Blueksy: @ Read More
National Post
2 days ago
- National Post
RCMP finally discovers identify of mysterious 1985 Air India bomb-testing suspect
Article content BANTRY, Ireland — Police in British Columbia have finally identified the mysterious man who helped test a bomb on Vancouver Island a few weeks before the Air India bombing on June 23, 1985. Article content RCMP Asst. Commissioner David Teboul told Postmedia that the previously unidentified suspect in the mass murder case recently died without ever facing charges. Article content Article content He said he couldn't release the name of the man due to privacy laws even though he's now dead. Article content Teboul and several other RCMP officers are part of the Canadian delegation here to mark the 40th anniversary of the Air India bombing. Dozens of relatives of victims are arriving to attend the service at a memorial to the 329 people who died when a B.C.-made bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland. Article content Article content Teboul, who is the commander of federal policing in B.C., said that despite the acquittals of two key bombing suspects in 2005, investigators have continued to work on the file 'to tie up some loose ends and discover more truth that's independent of judicial process.' Article content That's what lead them to uncover the identity of the mystery suspect, dubbed Mr. X, who travelled to Duncan on June 4, 1985, with terror plot mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar. The two men then joined up with electrician Inderjit Singh Reyat. Article content Article content The trio went into the woods and tested a bomb all while they were being followed by agents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The agents heard the blast but thought it was a gunshot. Article content Article content Parmar, founder of the Babbar Khalsa Sikh separatist group, was killed by police in Punjab in 1992 before he could be charged in the Air India terrorism plot. Article content Reyat was convicted of manslaughter for building another bomb that exploded at Japan's Narita Airport 54 minutes before the Air India blast. Two baggage handlers were killed. And he pleaded guilty to assisting Mr. X and Parmar build the Air India bomb. Article content Article content Teboul said that while there is an continuing investigation 'there's very little realistic chance of seeing this matter go to another trial.'
The Independent
10-04-2025
- The Independent
Canadian police in British Columbia bust fentanyl labs, seize chemicals and equipment
Three drug labs in Canada's Pacific coast province of British Columbia have been dismantled, police said Thursday, adding that two of the labs are believed to have been used to produce fentanyl while the purpose of the third remains 'undetermined.' The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also arrested two suspects, including someone described as a 'chemist,' but no charges have yet been laid as the police investigation continues. The Mounties say they executed 'numerous' search warrants in late March and found the three labs, which were equipped with sophisticated equipment that is also used in 'academic and professional research facilities.' Chief Supt. Stephen Lee, deputy regional commander of the RCMP federal policing program, said the commercial-grade chemistry equipment underscores 'disturbing trends' in the increasing scientific sophistication of drug labs used by transnational organized crime groups. Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said the drugs produced in the labs were not destined for the United States, but he couldn't reveal how police came to determine that since the investigation is ongoing. The Mounties say they launched their probe into the importation of precursor chemicals and commercial laboratory equipment used for producing drugs including fentanyl, MDMA and GHB, in the summer of 2023.
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Associated Press
Canadian police in British Columbia bust fentanyl labs, seize chemicals and equipment
SURREY, British Columbia (AP) — Three drug labs in Canada's Pacific coast province of British Columbia have been dismantled, police said Thursday, adding that two of the labs are believed to have been used to produce fentanyl while the purpose of the third remains 'undetermined.' The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also arrested two suspects, including someone described as a 'chemist,' but no charges have yet been laid as the police investigation continues. The Mounties say they executed 'numerous' search warrants in late March and found the three labs, which were equipped with sophisticated equipment that is also used in 'academic and professional research facilities.' Chief Supt. Stephen Lee, deputy regional commander of the RCMP federal policing program, said the commercial-grade chemistry equipment underscores 'disturbing trends' in the increasing scientific sophistication of drug labs used by transnational organized crime groups. Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said the drugs produced in the labs were not destined for the United States, but he couldn't reveal how police came to determine that since the investigation is ongoing. The Mounties say they launched their probe into the importation of precursor chemicals and commercial laboratory equipment used for producing drugs including fentanyl, MDMA and GHB, in the summer of 2023.
