Remembering the Tragic Air India 182 Bombing
Summary:
Title: Remembering the 1985 Air India Flight 182 Bombing
Date: June 23, 2023
Location: New Delhi
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar commemorated the 39th anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 ‘Kanishka’ bombing, one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history that claimed 329 lives on June 23, 1985. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of never tolerating terrorism in a social media post. A memorial service has been planned by the Indian consulate in Vancouver due to the strained relations between India and Canada.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) continue to investigate the incident, which remains the greatest terror-related loss of life for Canadians. The bombing, attributed to Canada-based Khalistani terrorists, was in retaliation for India’s ‘Operation Blue Star’ in 1984. Key figures involved included members of the Babbar Khalsa organization, with Talwinder Singh Parmar identified as the mastermind.
The Canadian government’s handling of the incident faced criticism for intelligence failures and security lapses. A public inquiry in 2006 revealed significant errors and poor treatment of victims’ families.
The issue resurfaced amid diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, following accusations by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau of India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Indian Consulate General in Vancouver and Toronto will hold memorial services to honor the victims and emphasize global cooperation against terrorism.
Image Caption:
- Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper lays a wreath at a 25th anniversary memorial in 2010.
- Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the Air India memorial in Toronto in 2010.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.
Source: With inputs from agencies.