In a concerning incident, Satish Kumar, the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, Canada, reportedly became the target of a shooting by Khalistanis
According to recent TV reports, at least 14 gunshots struck Kumar’s residence on Thursday night. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the event has sparked apprehension within the community.
Who is Satish Kumar President of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, Canada as he’s shot at by Khalistan supporters
🔴14 Bullets fired‼️
~Canada 🇨🇦 : Atleast 14 rounds were fired at the house of son of Satish Kumar, president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.
~4th Major attack on temple/ temple authorities since Jan 2023.
~This is perceived as a revenge attack as the temple had… pic.twitter.com/VJYXOtmnca— Levina🇮🇳 (@LevinaNeythiri) December 29, 2023
The president of a major Hindu temple, Satish Kumar of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, Canada, was attacked by Khalistani supporters. His house was targeted with at least 14 rounds fired last night.@RishabhMPratap with the latest updates. pic.twitter.com/jLZvvi58ld
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 29, 2023
Police Investigation
Prompted by the incident, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) swiftly initiated an investigation to delve into the details of the attack.
They collected evidence, interviewed witnesses, and sought any CCTV footage that could shed light on the situation.
Satish Kumar Addressed The Media
Satish Kumar, addressing the media, explained that the incident occurred at his son’s home. He emphasized that the police are actively investigating and refrained from speculating on the identity of the assailant.
Kumar clarified that the incident does not appear directly related to the previous attack on the temple, hinting that it might be connected to extortion.
This marks the third time that Lakshmi Narayan Mandir has faced trouble, with the shooting believed to be a response to a protest organized by the temple against Khalistani extremists.
Notably, the temple has been targeted before, with previous instances of anti-India graffiti at Hindu temples in Brampton and Mississauga, as well as the defacement of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Windsor, Ontario.
In August, a Hindu temple in Canada was vandalized with Khalistan referendum posters, indicating a recurring pattern of attacks by extremist elements.
This escalation of incidents has strained relations between Canada and India, exacerbated by allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September regarding the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India vehemently rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated,” leading to a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Two suspects believed to be responsible for Nijjar’s murder are reportedly under police surveillance, with anticipation of their imminent arrest by the RCMP in the coming weeks.
The diplomatic tensions further escalated in October when India’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, conveyed in a strongly-worded letter that Canada should be concerned about its international reputation following the explosive allegations surrounding Nijjar’s murder.
The situation remains complex and continues to unfold as investigations progress.
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