On Sunday, Indian diplomatic missions in Canada solemnly observed the 39th anniversary of the Air India Kanishka bombing, paying tribute to the 329 victims, including 86 children, who perished in the tragic terrorist attack in 1985.
In Ottawa, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma led a ceremony to honor the victims, denouncing the bombing as a “cowardly terrorist act.” The event gathered family members, Canadian officials, and members of the Indo-Canadian community. Sanjay Kumar Verma emphasized India’s solidarity with the victims’ families and reaffirmed India’s commitment to combating terrorism globally.
Simultaneously, the Consulate General of India in Toronto held a memorial service where Consul General S Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial in Humber Park. Addressing attendees, General S Nath underscored the necessity of united international efforts against terrorism and condemned any glorification of terrorist acts.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to X to commemorate the solemn occasion, emphasizing the enduring significance of the Kanishka bombing in rejecting terrorism. S Jaishankar paid homage to the victims and expressed solidarity with their families, urging global vigilance against terrorism.
Air India Flight 182 was en route from Montreal to London when it exploded over the Atlantic Ocean on June 23, 1985, due to a bomb planted by Khalistani terrorists, claiming the lives of 329 individuals, including Canadian, British, and Indian nationals. The incident was believed to be in retaliation for the Indian government’s Operation Bluestar in 1984.
The commemoration occurred amid strained relations between India and Canada, exacerbated by recent controversies involving alleged support for Khalistani extremists. The Canadian Parliament’s tribute to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, has further strained bilateral relations, with India accusing Canada of sheltering extremists.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reiterated their commitment to the ongoing investigation into the Air India bombing, acknowledging it as one of the most intricate domestic terrorism cases in RCMP history. Assistant Commissioner David Teboul extended condolences to the families of the victims, affirming the RCMP’s continuous efforts in seeking justice.
The anniversary serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll of terrorism and the ongoing challenges in combating extremist ideologies globally.
