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Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Gunfire hits Nijjar-linked business in Canada; cousin blames Bishnoi gang
Toronto: A business owned by a cousin of murdered pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was fired upon in the early hours of Thursday, the latest in a series of such incidents targeting prominent Indo-Canadian businessmen in the area. Multiple shots were fired on the premises of Nijjar Trucking owned by Raghbir Singh Nijjar at around 3 am on Thursday. The outlet Red FM reported that on June 18, there was an attempt to set vehicles afire at the same business. It cited Nijjar as alleging that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was behind the attack, as part of an extortion attempt. His residence had been similarly targeted in August 2024. Nijjar also said that criminal gangs were using international students for these violent acts. While he is related to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed on June 18, 2023, in Surrey, British Columbia, a person familiar with them said they had not been close. This incident followed the murder of another businessman Satwinder Sharma on June 11 in neighbouring Abbotsford. Sharma, 56, was shot while at his business location. The case is being handled by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team or IHIT which said, 'Early indications suggest this was a targeted incident and no one else was injured as a result of the shooting. Investigators are working diligently to determine the motive and the circumstances surrounding the homicide.' Another repeat victim is Satish Kumar, president of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. On June 7, Reflections Banquet Hall, which he owns, was shot at. Early on Saturday, another business, Satish Accounting Services, was similarly targeted. Kumar told the outlet Vancouver Sun, 'My life is on the line. My family's life is on the line.' In December 2023, the residence where his son and family live in was fired upon. British Columbia Premier (equivalent of an Indian Chief Minister) David Eby has called upon the Federal Government to designate such violent criminal groups as terrorist organisations. In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday, he wrote, 'On February 15, 2025, the Government of Canada announced the listing of seven transnational criminal groups as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. British Columbia believes that this legal instrument should be applied to groups, such as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, engaged in extortion and violent crimes in multiple Canadian provinces. This is a complex and nationally impactful criminal issue deserving of a national criminal law response to investigate and prosecute those participating in, promoting and/or facilitating these crimes.'
Global News
13-06-2025
- Global News
Brazen murder of businessman in Surrey stokes B.C. extortion fears
The brazen murder of an Abbotsford man with no known criminal ties has reignited extortion fears in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says Abbotsford resident Satwinder Sharma was shot dead in his business near 160 Street and 84 Avenue in Surrey around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday. While police believe the incident was targeted, Sgt. Freda Fong said police won't speculate about the motive at this point. 'It is still early on in the investigation, and we are aware that there are unconfirmed reports and speculation on the motive behind the shooting,' she said. 'We are looking at all angles.' 1:00 One person dead following Surrey shooting at business But the killing has sent a chill through the region's South Asian community, where speculation of a link to extortionists has spread quickly. Story continues below advertisement Police in B.C. and across Canada have been investigating extortion attempts targeting businesses, often in the South Asian community, since at least November 2023. Since then, the number of reported extortion attempts and of violent incidents — including gunfire targeting homes — have piled up. This month, police responded to shootings on June 7 at Reflections Banquet Hall and June 10 at Hub Insurance. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy While no one was hurt, Satish Kumar, who has ties to both businesses, told Global News he thinks he's being targeted for refusing to pay extortionists. Kumar played a May 28 voicemail for Global News in which a caller says in Hindi that he'll be killed if he doesn't come up with $2 million. He said he spoke directly with the extortionist after one of the shootings, in a phone call that grew 'heated.' 'He asked for the money, and I said no, we're not going to give you a single penny,' he told Global News. 1:51 Surrey police protecting targeted home He said the man's response was that he was going to 'kill you guys. Not let you go anywhere. You have to pay the money.' Story continues below advertisement Kumar hosted a town hall on the extortion threats last year, and said the threats have escalated since then. He and other business owners are now offering a $100,000 reward for tips that lead to charges. 'My message to the public is don't be scared, come forward … we have to do something, put pressure on the government to change the law,' he said. The opposition BC Conservatives are also pressing the provincial government for more action. 'The word extortion isn't even listed in the budget or estimates documents,' Steve Kooner, Conservative attorney general critic, told Global News. 'That's concerning. If it's not written in those documents, how do you have the resources to deal with this problem?' It's a claim Public Safety Minister Gary Begg disputes, telling Global News in a statement that the province has 'more than $100 million allocated annually into specialized enforcement and intelligence programs targeting guns, gangs and illicit drug activities.' But the BC Conservatives say it's not enough. 1:52 Ontario murder sends shockwaves through B.C. South Asian community 'People are really scared right now, and they're wondering where is the action?' Kooner said. Story continues below advertisement He's calling on the province to follow the lead of police in Ontario and set up a dedicated extortion tip line. He also wants to see the province working more closely with Ottawa to identify any potential international links to the schemes. At least some of the early incidents have been potentially linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, based in India. Kumar, meanwhile, is planning another public forum. 'This happened to me. It's happened to other people too,' he said. 'If the public don't get together, the thing never stops.'
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Punjabi-origin businessman shot dead in Canada, gunned down inside office; probe on
JALANDHAR: A 57-year-old Punjabi-origin businessman, Satwinder Sharma, was shot dead in his office in Surrey, Canada, on the evening of June 11. Sharma had been running a workforce supply company since 1992 and was well known in the local Punjabi community. He lived in Abbotsford and was shot at inside his office on 84 Avenue, Surrey. According to reports, two men approached him, started a conversation, and suddenly opened fire. Sharma died at the scene before though the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit responded quickly. The case is being investigated by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). The motive behind the murder is still unknown. This incident happened just days after firing at the properties of another Punjabi businessman, Satish Kumar, who is also the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. Satish had earlier said he received extortion threats. On June 11, someone named Goldy Dhillon, claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, posted on Facebook, taking responsibility for those attacks. Community sources confirmed that Satwinder Sharma and Satish Kumar are not related.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Punjabi-origin businessman shot dead in Canada, gunned down outside office; probe on
JALANDHAR: A 57-year-old Punjabi-origin businessman, Satwinder Sharma, was shot dead in his office in Surrey, Canada, on the evening of June 11. Sharma had been running a workforce supply company since 1992 and was well known in the local Punjabi community. He lived in Abbotsford and was shot at inside his office on 84 Avenue, Surrey. According to reports, two men approached him, started a conversation, and suddenly opened fire. Sharma died at the scene before though the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit responded quickly. The case is being investigated by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). The motive behind the murder is still unknown. This incident happened just days after firing at the properties of another Punjabi businessman, Satish Kumar Sharma, who is also the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. Satish had earlier said he received extortion threats. On June 11, someone named Goldy Dhillon, claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, posted on Facebook, taking responsibility for those attacks. Community sources confirmed that Satwinder Sharma and Satish Kumar Sharma are not related.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man killed in daytime shooting at Surrey building
A man is dead after a daytime shooting at a Surrey building on Wednesday. Surrey police officers were called to the 15900-block of 84 Avenue in Fleetwood at around 3:45 p.m. They found one man with life-threatening injuries. Despite first aid efforts, the man died at the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over the case. The shooting is Surrey's third homicide of 2025. Surrey Police Service said the investigation is still in the early stages and the motive hasn't been determined, but the incident does not appear to be linked to any ongoing investigations. Police asks anyone with information to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-4448. More to come … BMW seized from Montreal gangster in Kamloops linked to sex trafficking Police confirm shots fired at house in Surrey linked to extortion
