New Delhi:
A minimum of 100 rounds have been fired exterior a music recording studio in Canada’s Toronto. The late-night gunfire on Monday led to the arrest of 23 individuals and the seizure of 16 firearms, together with two assault-style rifles. The locality the place the firing happened additionally homes studios frequented by Punjabi musicians within the metropolis.
Toronto police have been conducting an unrelated bail compliance examine when the violence erupted round 11:20 pm. A stolen car pulled up close to a recording studio earlier than three people stepped out and fired on the studio and people close by. In response, members of a rival group reportedly returned fireplace, Toronto Police mentioned.
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue mentioned that plainclothes officers in an unmarked car have been caught within the crossfire, narrowly escaping harm regardless of their car being hit a number of instances.
The change of gunfire reportedly scattered suspects as they tried to flee. Police acted rapidly, utilizing their unmarked car to field within the stolen automobile, apprehending a gunman following a quick foot chase. Nonetheless, two suspects managed to flee and are nonetheless lacking.
A video surfaced previous to the gunfight, confirmed a number of people dancing with fashionable firearms. Following the preliminary arrest, a search of the realm was carried out, resulting in the seizure of 16 firearms hidden all through the neighborhood. Officers recovered a number of weapons discarded by fleeing suspects and others hid on the rooftop, contained in the recording studio, and even in close by rubbish bins. Amongst these firearms have been a number of handguns and two high-powered rifles.
A number of Punjabi artists use recording studios within the space. Well-liked Punjabi music artists like AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal have beforehand been focused in comparable incidents. The world has a thriving Punjabi group and serves as a hub for artists who’ve connections to India.
This high-profile incident comes amid issues from Indian and Canadian authorities concerning the presence of Khalistani separatists and organised crime syndicates reportedly supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Providers Intelligence (ISI) in Canada. In keeping with Indian safety sources, earlier instances have uncovered a stream of unlawful firearms from ISI channels into Canada, aimed toward arming Khalistani militants.
The June 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar triggered a diplomatic rift between India and Canada which continues to this present day.