High Commission of India

Ottawa

PRESS RELEASE

Kanishka Air Tragedy  35^th Anniversary Commemorated

23^rd June 2020, marked the 35^th anniversary of the terrorist bombing of Air India flight AI 182.

As part of the commemoration of the tragic incident, High Commissioner of India to Canada Mr. Ajay Bisaria visited the memorial to victims of AI 182 ‘Kanishka’ bombing at Commissioner’s Park in Ottawa and paid his homage to the victims by laying a wreath.  Mr. Susheel Gupta, representative of the victims’ family association was present to receive the High Commissioner. 

The Consul General of India in Vancouver, Ms. Abhilasha Joshi, visited the memorial at Stanley Park in Vancouver; Consul General of India in Toronto, Ms. ApoorvaSrivastava, visited the memorials at Queen’s Park and Humber Park in Toronto; and the Representative of India to ICAO, Ms. ShefaliJuneja, visited the memorial in Montreal to pay homage to the victims.  Representatives of victims of families were present at all the memorials.  The gatherings were kept small to respect social distancing norms in view of COVID-19 pandemic related health measures. 

The Ambassador of Ireland to Canada and the High Commissioner of United Kingdom to Canada also visited the memorial in Ottawa to pay their respects.

Joining the families and friends of the victims in paying homage to all those who fell to this most barbaric act of terrorism, the High Commissioner of India to Canada in his message said that “The bombing of the Air India flight resulted in the killing of 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens and 24 Indian citizens.  The bombing was the result of a conspiracy conceived, planned, and executed in Canada.  Most of its victims were Canadians.  The bombing remains the worst encounter with terrorism Canada has experienced, one of the worst in the world”. 

The High Commissioner of India to Canada also thanked Hon’ble Prime Minister of Canada H.E. Justin Trudeau for his message on the occasion of the 35^th anniversary of Kanishka bombing which is recognized in Canada as the National Day of Remembrance for victims of terrorism. 

The terrorist bombing of Air India flight AI 182 off the Irish Coast on 23 June 1985 which resulted in the killing of all 329 crew and passengers (of which 82 were children below the age of 13) including 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens, 22 American citizens and 24 Indian citizens,remains the worst terrorist attack against Canada. 

Ottawa

24 June 2020