Kanishka bombing 1985 investigation ‘active and ongoing’: Canadian police

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in relation to the investigation of the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, also known as the Kanishka bombing, said that the probe efforts into the incident remain “active and ongoing.”

“Our investigative efforts remain active and ongoing,” the Canadian police said in a statement. 

The Kanishka bombing was the terrorist attack on Air India Flight 182 which occurred on June 23, 1985 and claimed 329 lives.

The flight was en route from Montreal to London when a bomb believed to be planted by Sikh extremists exploded, killing everyone on board. This act of terrorism shook the Canadian and Indian communities. 

In a statement on Friday (June 21), the Canadian police said that it was the “greatest terror-related loss of life” in Canadian history. The statement was issued by RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul as 2024 marks the 39th anniversary of the tragedy.

“The trauma caused by the bombing on June 23, 1985 has impacted generations,” he added.

RCMP also extended its “deepest sympathies, understanding and support” to the victims’ families. 

The Canadian police termed the investigation as the “longest” and “one of the most complex domestic terrorism investigations” that the RCMP has undertaken in its history.

“This year marks the 39th anniversary memorial, with the 40th memorial, a significant milestone, approaching in 2025,” Teboul noted. He also urged Canadians to remember and honour the victims both privately and at public memorials.

The motivation behind the bombings believed to be a retaliation of Operation Blue Star, a military operation carried out by the Indian government in June 1984 to remove Sikh militants who had taken refuge in the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Punjab. The operation led to significant destruction and loss of life.

Canadian police said, “Over the years, attending the memorials have been an opportunity to pay our respects to the victims and their families, and show our appreciation for all those that did so much to respond to and investigate the tragedy. We must never forget those innocent lives lost to this tragedy and other acts of terrorism.”

(With inputs from agencies)