The incident, occurring on Thursday night (local time), involved Kumar’s house being struck by at least 14 gunshots. The incident happened at a residence in the 14900 block of 80 Avenue, Surrey. Despite the severity of the attack, there were no reported injuries, the police said.
Following the incident, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) conducted a thorough investigation at the scene. This included collecting forensic evidence, conducting witness interviews, and searching for any relevant CCTV footage in the vicinity.
After Canada, Hindu temple vandalised with anti-India, pro-Khalistan graffiti in US
While the motive is still under investigation, the police have not confirmed any connection to recent threats against Laxhmi Narayan Mandir.
“On December 27, 2023 at approximately 8:03 am, Surrey RCMP responded a to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 14900 block of 80 Avenue. No one was injured during the incident, but the residence involved sustained damage consistent with bullet holes. Police remained in the area, examining the scene, speaking with witnesses and canvassing the neighbourhood for CCTV footage. The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has conduct of the investigation. Officers are still working to determine the motive of this incident. Anyone with more information, including dash cam footage of the incident, is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP” the Surrey Police said in its press release.
The Surrey Police have not confirmed any link of the attack to recent threats received by the Laxshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.
‘Those responsible will be…’: US condemns desecration of Swaminarayan Temple in California
Hindu temples in Canada have faced recurring attacks, with instances of vandalism and anti-India sentiments, raising concerns about hate crimes against the Hindu-Canadian community.
Earlier in November, India-origin Canadian member of Parliament Chandra Arya shared a purported video of Pro Khalistani supporters in Surrey claiming they want to create trouble at the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Mandir there.
He wrote, “Last week, Khalistan supporters verbally abused a Sikh family outside a Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, BC, according to some reports. Now it appears the same Khalistan group wants to create trouble at the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.”
Underscoring that Hindu temples have remained targets for attacks over the past years, Arya noted by saying, “Hindu temples have been attacked many times during the last couple of years. Hate crimes are being committed against Hindu-Canadians.”
Moreover, a Hindu temple was vandalised in Canada by extremist elements with Khalistan referendum posters in August this year. In April this year, BAPS Swaminarayan temple was vandalised with anti-India graffiti in Windsor, in Canada’s Ontario. Meanwhile, in February, the Ram Mandir in Canada’s Mississauga was vandalised with anti-India graffiti. In January, a Hindu temple in Brampton was defaced with anti-India graffiti, triggering outrage among the Indian community.
(With inputs from