Wednesday, December 17, 2025
ADVT 
National

Counting the cost of the 1985 Air India bombing tragedy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Jun, 2025 03:41 PM
  • Counting the cost of the 1985 Air India bombing tragedy

Monday marks the 40th anniversary of the terrorist attack that destroyed Air India Flight 182.

The deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history would result in a trial that cost almost $60 million, a federal investigation report and a commission of inquiry. But only one suspect was ever convicted.

THE CASUALTIES

All 307 passengers and 22 crew aboard Flight 182 were killed on June 23, 1985. About an hour earlier, two baggage handlers also died when another bomb planted in the same conspiracy exploded at Narita Airport in Japan.

THE SUSPECTS

Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri were acquitted of mass murder and conspiracy in 2005 after a two-year trial in Vancouver. In 2022, Malik was shot dead in Surrey, B.C., by two paid hit men, whose motives have never been made public.

Inderjit Singh Reyat was convicted of manslaughter in 1991 in the Narita bombing. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the bombing of Flight 182 and admitted to building the bombs. He was later convicted of perjuring himself at the trial of Malik and Bagri. He was freed in 2016.

Sikh extremist Talwinder Singh Parmar was identified as having masterminded the attack by the judge in Malik and Bagri's trial, as well as the 2010 report from the commission of inquiry. Parmar was shot dead by Indian police in 1992.

A suspect known only as "Mr. X" has never been identified.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

MORE National ARTICLES

Rafale friendship takes flight: French Senate delegation backs India in fight against terror

Rafale friendship takes flight: French Senate delegation backs India in fight against terror
New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) The Rafale fighter jets supplied by France are not just cutting-edge defence platforms — they now stand as soaring symbols of a time-tested friendship and strategic trust between India and France, New Delhi told a visiting delegation of the French Senate on Tuesday.

Rafale friendship takes flight: French Senate delegation backs India in fight against terror

Carney reaffirms Canadian support for Ukraine in first meeting with Zelenskyy

Carney reaffirms Canadian support for Ukraine in first meeting with Zelenskyy
Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed Canada's "steadfast and unwavering support" for Ukraine in his first meeting withthe country's president on Saturday in Rome.

Carney reaffirms Canadian support for Ukraine in first meeting with Zelenskyy

Environment Canada issues weather alerts for B.C. Interior highways

Environment Canada issues weather alerts for B.C. Interior highways
Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for three major highways in the British Columbia Interior.

Environment Canada issues weather alerts for B.C. Interior highways

Canada Post workers issue strike notice, poised to hit picket lines Friday

Canada Post workers issue strike notice, poised to hit picket lines Friday
Canada Post received a strike notice Monday from the union representing more than 55,000 postal workers, with operations poised to shut down by the end of the week — for the second time in six months.

Canada Post workers issue strike notice, poised to hit picket lines Friday

Cda-Israel Canada, U.K., France warn of concrete actions against Israel over military expansion

Cda-Israel Canada, U.K., France warn of concrete actions against Israel over military expansion
Canada, the United Kingdom and France issued a forceful condemnation of Israel's expansion of military operations and other actions in Gaza and the West Bank, threatening in a joint statement Monday to take concrete actions, including sanctions.

Cda-Israel Canada, U.K., France warn of concrete actions against Israel over military expansion

Former hockey player under cross-examination at ex-teammates' sex assault trial

Former hockey player under cross-examination at ex-teammates' sex assault trial
A former member of Canada's world junior hockey team is set to continue testifying today at the sexual assault trial of five of his ex-teammates.

Former hockey player under cross-examination at ex-teammates' sex assault trial