Aakhir Tak – In Shorts:
- Canada’s spy agency CSIS had a mole in the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing plot.
- CSIS pulled out its mole just before the bombing, leading to the death of 329 people.
- The resurfacing of this report raises questions about Canada’s leniency towards Khalistani terrorists.
Aakhir Tak – In Depth:
The 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing, which claimed the lives of 329 people, is one of the worst terrorist attacks in Canadian history. Recent reports have brought to light that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had a mole within the Khalistani terrorist network involved in the bombing. However, just before the bombing, CSIS withdrew its mole from the operation, failing to prevent the deadly incident.
Inside CSIS’s Mole Operations:
According to a CBC report, the CSIS mole was Surjan Singh Gill, who was identified as the “consul-general of Khalistan.” Gill was deeply involved in the plot and provided crucial information. However, just days before the bombing, CSIS instructed him to withdraw from the conspiracy, which ultimately allowed the bomb plot to proceed unchecked.
Resurgence of the Report:
The resurfacing of this 2003 report comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Canada, particularly after Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s recent threats against Air India. The timing raises questions about Canada’s response to Khalistani elements and its failure to act on the intelligence available in 1985.
Legal Proceedings and Documents:
The investigation into the bombing implicated two key suspects: Ajaib Singh Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik, both of whom were accused of murdering the passengers and crew of Air India Flight 182. The RCMP transcripts of Bagri’s interrogation revealed that Gill was integral to the plot, and yet he was withdrawn by CSIS at a critical moment.
Criticism of Canadian Spy Agency:
Critics argue that CSIS had enough intelligence to prevent the bombing, but mishandled it. The agency also reportedly destroyed hundreds of wiretaps related to the Air India investigation, a move that has drawn widespread criticism.
Khalistani Terrorism:
The reappearance of this report once again highlights concerns about Canada’s reluctance to take action against Khalistani terrorism. With the growing Indo-Canadian diplomatic strain, especially after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, questions remain about whether Canada will change its stance.
