Canadian law enforcement authorities have arrested approximately eight Sikh individuals, whose ages range from 19 to 26 years, on charges related to the possession of loaded, prohibited, or restricted firearms within Brampton City, located in the Ontario province.
According to information from the Peel Regional Police, they responded to reports of gunfire in the vicinity of Donald Stewart Road and Brisdale Drive in Brampton during the evening of October 2.
"With the assistance of the Tactical Unit, eight individuals were located in a residence and subsequently taken into custody," as stated in a press release by the Peel Regional Police on Wednesday.
The police have confirmed that no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
This development occurs against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Canada and India following the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
Subsequent to the incident, members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau executed a Criminal Code Search Warrant, resulting in the seizure of a 9mm Beretta firearm.
The individuals charged with the possession of a "Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm" include Jagdeep Singh (22), Ekamjot Randhawa (19), Manjinder Singh (26), Harpreet Singh (23), Ripanjot Singh (22), Japandeep Singh (22), Lovepreet Singh (26), all hailing from Brampton.
Additionally, 21-year-old Rajanpreet Singh faces charges related to the careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition, in addition to the possession of a loaded, prohibited, or restricted firearm.
All of the accused were detained for a bail hearing and appeared at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
Tensions have arisen between the two nations following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertions regarding the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Najjar.
India has strongly rejected these allegations as "absurd" and "motivated." The country has also expressed concerns regarding the safety of Indian diplomats and the security of India's diplomatic facilities in Canada.
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