Thursday, December 11, 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

Military police watchdog says military police still resisting civilian oversight

Military police watchdog says military police still resisting civilian oversight
The Military Police Complaints Commission says resistance to civilian oversight in the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal's office "worsened" last year.

Military police watchdog says military police still resisting civilian oversight

Carney's task at G7 will be to keep the group alive as experts question the outcome

Carney's task at G7 will be to keep the group alive as experts question the outcome
As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets ready to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders at the G7 summit in Alberta, analysts say Canada's most important goal will be to keep the group from falling apart — even if that means not issuing a joint statement.

Carney's task at G7 will be to keep the group alive as experts question the outcome

'Say something': Protesters gather as G7 leaders' summit gets underway in Alberta

'Say something': Protesters gather as G7 leaders' summit gets underway in Alberta
Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...

'Say something': Protesters gather as G7 leaders' summit gets underway in Alberta

Man presumed drowned after disappearing in Metro Vancouver lake

Man presumed drowned after disappearing in Metro Vancouver lake
Police in West Vancouver say a 29-year-old man is presumed to have drowned after going missing while swimming across a lake in Cypress Provincial Park.

Man presumed drowned after disappearing in Metro Vancouver lake

Trump signals trade deal with Carney achievable as two leaders meet at G7

Trump signals trade deal with Carney achievable as two leaders meet at G7
U.S. President Donald Trump said he thinks a trade deal with Canada is achievable — even if he and Prime Minister Mark Carney have "different concepts" of what that deal might look like.

Trump signals trade deal with Carney achievable as two leaders meet at G7

Free summer admission to national parks and historic sites begins Friday

Free summer admission to national parks and historic sites begins Friday
The Canada Strong Pass takes effect Friday, offering free admission to national parks, national historic sites and marine conservation areas maintained by Parks Canada.

Free summer admission to national parks and historic sites begins Friday