Goldy Brar claims Nijjar killing in leaked audio, contradicting Canada

A leaked audio recording has surfaced in which designated terrorist Goldy Brar allegedly claims responsibility for the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada's Surrey in June 2023. In the purported conversation, Brar says Nijjar was involved in weapon and drug smuggling and was forcing minors into illicit activities, describing the killing as a result of a transnational gang war rather than state action. India Today reports it cannot independently verify the audio's authenticity, while Times Now says security officials confirmed the 50-minute conversation is between Brar and UK-based Khalistani operative Paramjit Singh Pamma.

The audio directly contradicts Canadian allegations of Indian government involvement in Nijjar's death. In September 2023, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Parliament he had credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killing. The US Department of Justice has previously indicted Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar for ordering the assassination, and the FBI has offered a US$50,000 reward for Brar's capture. India has asked both the US and Canada to deport Brar, who is also wanted for the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala and for a bomb attack in Gurugram in December 2024.

Security agency sources told India Today that the voice in the audio belongs to Brar. Times Now notes that Brar and Bishnoi were working together at the time of Nijjar's killing but had a public fallout in 2024.