India says it will seek the extradition of Arsh Dalla, a designated terrorist and self-styled leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), who was reportedly arrested in connection with a shooting in Ontario on October 28.
Dalla was a close aide of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani activist who was gunned down near his house in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public statement accusing Indian officials of being involved in Nijjar’s death sparked a diplomatic spat which eventually led to India withdrawing its high commissioner and other officials from Ottawa and expelling Canadian diplomats from New Delhi in October.
“We have seen media reports circulating since 10 November on the arrest in Canada of proclaimed offender Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de-facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force,” said ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday.
“Canadian print and visual media have widely reported on the arrest. We understand that the Ontario Court has listed the case for hearing,” said Jaiswal, adding: “Arsh Dalla is a proclaimed offender in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts including terror financing.”
However, despite being designated a terrorist and a Red Corner Notice being issued against him, the Canadian government had refused an Indian request to arrest Dalla in July 2023. Canada’s Department of Justice sought additional information, which was sent in March 2024, he said.
“In view of the recent arrest, our agencies will be following up on an extradition request. Given Arsh Dalla’s criminal record in India and his involvement in similar illegal activities in Canada, it is expected that he will be extradited or deported to face justice in India,” Jaiswal said.
According to Indian intelligence sources, Dalla was detained briefly and may have been released despite clear evidence of his involvement in the Ontario shooting, signalling a possible reluctance by Canadian authorities to fully prosecute high-profile individuals with alleged links to Khalistan-related violence.
Canadian authorities detained Dalla after CCTV footage reportedly showed his involvement. Halton Regional Police, in collaboration with other agencies, arrested two individuals in connection with the case but did not release their identities publicly, sparking questions over the transparency of Canada’s handling of cases related to pro-Khalistan terrorism.
Indian authorities have repeatedly underscored Dalla’s role in orchestrating violent operations within Punjab and his alleged coordination with Pakistani intelligence, including links to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Security agencies in India say Dalla organized extortion rings, targeted killings, and drug and arms smuggling across borders. In 2023, Punjab police claimed Dalla was tied to the murder of Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau in Faridkot and Jaswant Singh Gill in Gwalior, among other targeted attacks against civilians and officials in India. His gang is suspected of several recent shootings and extortion cases, creating further threats to regional stability.
Indian officials have urged Canada to take a firm stance on transnational criminal networks linked to pro-Khalistan groups, and claim Canada’s inaction is fostering a safe environment for individuals like Dalla and others, such as Harwinder Singh Rinda, who operate from overseas with support from sympathizers across Canada and the U.S.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav noted that India has shared detailed dossiers on at least 25 gangsters with the U.S. and Canada, linking them to organized crime and terrorism-related activities in Punjab, but no action was taken by Canada so far.
, was held in connection with a shooting in Ontario on October 28.){kind=link}