Duneke's killing comes in the backdrop of a huge diplomatic row between India and Canada.
Khalistani terrorist Sukhdool Singh, also known as Sukha Duneke, was killed last night in Canada in inter-gang violence, sources said. Duneke was part of the Khalistan movement in Canada. Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang has claimed responsibility for the killing.
Duneke was a "Category A" gangster from Punjab's Moga who fled to Canada on a fake passport in 2017. He was a close associate of gangster and Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Dalla and is one of 43 gangsters with links to Khalistan and Canada mentioned in the list released by the anti-terror agency NIA yesterday.
Duneke's killing comes in the backdrop of a huge diplomatic row between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons earlier this week that his government had "credible allegations" that linked Indian government agents to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June.
India and Canada have expelled a senior diplomat each following Mr Trudeau's accusations. India has denied the allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated."
Nijjar, 45, was an Indian terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), and was assassinated outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. He was one of India's most wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh.
Yesterday, India issued a travel advisory for its citizens in Canada, a day after Canada updated its own advisory for India. India's strong travel advisory warned of growing anti-India activity and "politically condoned hate crimes." The advisory urged Indian citizens in Canada and those planning to travel there to exercise caution.
"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda,' read India's advisory.
The Canadian government today rejected India's travel advisory, saying that it is one of the safest countries in the world.
Amid this standoff between the two nations, Punjab Police today launched a statewide crackdown on the associates of gangster Goldy Brar, who is accused of killing singer Sidhu Moosewala.
According to the police, Brar has close links to the Khalistani separatist movement and is believed to be hiding in Canada.