Gunshots were fired at a home in South Surrey in Canada's British Columbia province that locals say belongs to an aide of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada's CBC News reported on Friday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they responded to reports of gunshots after 1:20 am (local time) on Thursday at a home located near the 2,800 block of 154th Street, according to CBC News. No injuries were reported.
The home belongs to Simranjeet Singh, who was a friend of Nijjar, whose killing in June last year sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada.
A car was heavily damaged due to the shooting in the area and multiple bullet holes were found in Simranjeet Singh's house, CBC News reported.
According to Corporal Sarbjit Sangha, police were scanning the CCTV footage to investigate the shooting. He said they also spoke to neighbours and witnesses in the area.
Sangha, however, did not say how many shots were fired at the house and said police believed the shooting was isolated in nature.
"The investigation is in, still, very early stages, so the motive of this shooting has not been determined as of this time," she said.
Spokesperson for the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council, Moninder Singh, said that Simranjeet Singh's connection with Nijjar, local community members say, might have played a role in the shooting.
He said the shooting came after Simranjeet Singh organised a pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian consulate in Vancouver on January 26.
The "brazen middle of the night" shooting nearly claimed the life of Simranjeet Singh's six-year-old child, Moninder Singh said.
"I think it's just by the grace of God here that people made it out safely," he was quoted as saying by CBC News.
He also said that Simranjeet Singh had been in touch with the police due to fears for his life before the shooting.
The shooting came amid severe strain in ties between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September 2023 alleged a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing in Surrey in June.
India, however, rejected the charges by Canada, deeming them as “absurd and motivated” and said the country has a strong commitment to the rule of law.
