Son of slain B.C. Sikh leader says family, friends always believed India played role in assassination

The son of a Surrey, B.C., Sikh leaderkilled earlier this year says he feels a sense of relief after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government Monday of being involved in the fatal shooting.

Balraj Singh Nijjar, 21, was speaking publicly for the first time since the shooting deathof his father Hardeep, 45, on June 18, shortly after evening prayers at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwarain Surrey.

Trudeau said in the House of Commonsthatintelligence reports had found credible links between Indian government agents and the killing, though no one has been charged yet.

The Indian government had previously offered a reward for Hardeep's arrest, accusing the gurdwara president of heading a violent separatist movement for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.

It's a charge his supporters deny.

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Balraj, the elder of Hardeep's two sons, said his family and close friends always suspectedthe Indian government was behind his father's brazen killing.

"It was just a matter of time for when the truth would come out," he told reporters in the samegurdwaraparking lot where his father was slain."When we heard the news today, it was a sense of relief that it's finally coming to the public eyes."

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Sikh leader's son says he long suspected India had a role in father's death

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Balraj Singh Nijjar, 21, told reporters that he felt a sense of relief after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said publicly that Canada has seen intelligence allegedly linking the Indian government to the killing of his father, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Balraj thanked Trudeau, as well as federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDPLeader Jagmeet Singh, who bothcondemned the killing in the House of Commons.

"Hopefully, you can take this a step further and get specific individuals," he said, addressing the leaders. "If you place sanctions, whatever the next steps are,we're waiting as a family to see what it is."

India has rejectedTrudeau's allegations. Its ministry of external affairs issued a statement Monday night calling them "absurd."

Balrajwas speaking three months to the day after his father was killed and stooda few metres away from where Hardeep was sittingin his pickup truck when he was shot.

He said his father had called home five minutes before the killing, in high spirits, asking his family to have dinner ready.

Many members of the Sikh community said that Canadian authorities failed to protect Hardeepbefore his assassination, saying thatCanadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had previously warned the Sikh leader he was in danger.

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After his father's death, Balraj said he was the main point of contact for CSIS and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), and understood that investigations took time and involved lengthy processes.

"I just tried assuring everyone that, kind of, let this take time," he said. "Don't think it's being swept under the rug."

Balraj added the killing of his father was not just one of a random Sikh man, but of a temple president who was shot outside his own place of worship.

"I hope they can take it into take into consideration," he said. "That'sa very serious matter and foreign interference is not a small thing."

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Canadian Sikhs call for more protection

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Members of Canada's Sikh community are expressing concern about their safety after Justin Trudeau accused agents from India of killing a Sikh activist in Surrey, B.C. They say Canadian law enforcement should do more to ensure their safety from foreign agents.

In a statement, IHITSgt. Timothy Pierotti said investigators were not yet in a position to discuss specifics on the case.

"This remains a priority investigation for [IHIT]and we have and will continue to work closely with our local, provincial and national police agencies and partners in order to advance this investigation," he said.