Former Canada cop says Khalistani protesters attacked worshippers at Hindu temple: 'Some are like terrorists ...'

"On Sunday afternoon, in Brampton, Ontario, there was a Hindu temple, and protestors from the Khalistani separatist movement came to the temple and protested loudly outside. In Canada, this is a criminal offence, you are not allowed to disturb a religious meeting," he said.

Best, who is also an investigative journalist, added that many Khalistani protesters physically attacked some of the worshippers.

"We have seen videos where they are on the property, that was terrible enough. We found that one of the protesters, which turned out to be a violent mob, is a serving Peel police officer, a sergeant. I started getting wind of that on Sunday night," he said.

Best identified the cop as Sergeant Harinder Sohi, adding that he is clearly visible holding a Khalistani flag.

He recalled seeing the same official in October during a protest by Khalistani separatists. "There was a protest in downtown Toronto in the middle of October ... I saw the same police officer at that protest. He is holding a sign and flag and the sign says that India's consulate should be banned from Canada," he said.

The former Canada cop asserted that the police brass knew about the officer participating in the protests.

"Some of the Khalistani separatists are like terrorists and the surveillance services would have taken several photographs. I have no doubt that the police services knew in October, at least then, that this officer was participating with the Khalistani separatist protests in Canada," he told ANI.

Last week, protesters carrying Khalistani flags got into a heated clash with worshippers at the temple.

The incident drew widespread condemnation from India, prompting the Indian High Commission in Ottawa to issue a strong statement condemning the attack by the "anti-India" elements.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally condemned the "deliberate attack" on the Hindu temple in Canada and said that "cowardly attempts to intimidate" Indian diplomats were appalling.

"I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India's resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law," PM Modi said on X.

The incident comes at a time when ties between India and Canada have plunged to an all-time low amid allegations by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that New Delhi has been targeting Sikh separatists in the country and was involved in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023.

India has called the baseless allegations "absurd" and has repeatedly called out Trudeau for giving space to extremists on Canadian soil.

(With inputs from agencies)