High Commission of India

Ottawa

PRESS RELEASE

Kanishka Air Tragedy 37^th Anniversary Commemorated

June 23, 2022 marks the 37^th anniversary of the bombing of Air India flight AI-182 by Canada-based Khalistani terrorists resulting in the loss of 329 innocent lives.

Deputy High Commissioner joined representative of the victims’ families and other dignitaries including the Ambassador of Ireland, representatives from Global Affairs Canada and RCMP in attending a solemn service for the victims at the Memorial to the victims at Commissioner’s Park in Ottawa. Mr. Susheel Gupta, representative of the victims’ family association was also present.

The Consul General of India in Toronto paid homage at the memorials at Queen’s Park and Humber Park in Toronto; and memorials were also held at Vancouver and Montreal.  Representatives of families of victims were present at all the memorials.   

Sharing the grief of the families and friends of the victims and paying homage to those who fell to the dastardly act of terrorism, the Deputy High Commissioner said that the Government and people of India share the sorrow and pain of the victims’ families. “It is fitting that the day is commemorated in Canada as National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. Global terrorism is a threat to all humanity and requires all people who value human liberty and peace to come together in stamping out this scourge. We also thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his message of solidarity with the victims.”

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.   It also remains the biggest act of aviation terror after 9/11.

Ottawa,
23 June 2022

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