By: Jag Dhatt
A series of alarming violent incidents has shaken British Columbia, highlighting the growing threat posed by organized criminal groups in the region.
Multiple shots were fired early Thursday morning at the premises of Nijjar Trucking, owned by Raghbir Singh Nijjar. The incident occurred at approximately 3 a.m., following an earlier attack on June 18 that saw an attempt to set vehicles ablaze at the same business. Nijjar has attributed the violence to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, alleging that it is part of an extortion scheme. His residence was similarly targeted in August 2024. Nijjar further stated that criminal gangs are exploiting international students to carry out these violent acts.
While Nijjar is related to Hardeep Singh Nijjar — who was assassinated on June 18, 2023, in Surrey, British Columbia — a person close to the family revealed that the two were not on intimate terms.
This latest incident comes on the heels of the murder of another businessman, Satwinder Sharma, on June 11 in Abbotsford, a neighboring community. Sharma, 56, was shot at his business location. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which is managing the case, issued a statement noting that “early indications suggest this was a targeted incident and no one else was injured as a result of the shooting.” Investigators are currently working to uncover the motive and circumstances surrounding the homicide.
Other victims of repeated attacks include Satish Kumar, president of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. On June 7, Reflections Banquet Hall, one of his businesses, was shot at. Shortly thereafter, on Saturday morning, another of Kumar’s enterprises, Satish Accounting Services, was similarly targeted. Kumar has reported that his family’s residence was fired upon in December 2023. Speaking candidly about the risks he faces, Kumar stated, “My life is on the line. My family’s life is on the line.”
The escalating violence has drawn the attention of British Columbia Premier David Eby, who has urged the federal government to designate such criminal groups as terrorist organizations. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday, Eby emphasized the need for decisive action. He referenced Canada’s February 15, 2025, designation of seven transnational criminal groups as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code, advocating for a similar classification for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and other organizations involved in extortion and violent crimes across Canada.
Premier Eby remarked, “This is a complex and nationally impactful criminal issue deserving of a national criminal law response to investigate and prosecute those participating in, promoting, and/or facilitating these crimes.”
As British Columbia grapples with this surge in violent activity, calls for a unified response to combat organized crime continue to grow louder.
