Fact Check: Sikh terrorists bombed a Canadian plane, killing hundreds

Fact Check: "Sikh terrorists bombed a Canadian plane, killing hundreds"

What We Know

On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182, a passenger flight operating on the Montreal–London–Delhi–Mumbai route, was destroyed by a bomb planted by Sikh terrorists. The explosion occurred over the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the deaths of all 329 people on board, including 268 Canadians, 27 British citizens, and 22 Indian citizens (Wikipedia). This incident is recognized as the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history and was the deadliest act of aviation terrorism until the September 11 attacks in 2001 (BBC).

The bombing was attributed to members of the Babbar Khalsa, a Sikh separatist group, with key figures including Talwinder Singh Parmar and Inderjit Singh Reyat. Reyat was later convicted of manslaughter in connection with the bombing, while Parmar was believed to be the mastermind behind the attack (The Canadian Encyclopedia, Public Safety Canada). A separate explosion at Tokyo's Narita Airport on the same day, which killed two Japanese baggage handlers, was linked to the same plot (Encyclopedia Britannica).

Analysis

The claim that "Sikh terrorists bombed a Canadian plane, killing hundreds" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The incident involved a bomb that was smuggled onto the aircraft, leading to the tragic loss of 329 lives (EBSCO Research Starters). Investigations revealed that the bombing was motivated by revenge for the Indian government's actions against Sikhs, particularly the storming of the Golden Temple in 1984 (BBC, ABP Live).

While the Babbar Khalsa group was implicated, the investigation faced significant challenges, including a lengthy trial that lasted nearly two decades. Despite the acquittal of some suspects, Reyat's conviction confirmed the involvement of Sikh extremists in the bombing (Wikipedia, Public Safety Canada). The inquiry into the incident highlighted numerous failures by Canadian authorities in preventing the attack, further emphasizing the severity and complexity of the situation (BBC).

The sources used in this analysis are reliable, with Wikipedia providing a comprehensive overview, the BBC offering recent context, and The Canadian Encyclopedia detailing the historical significance and aftermath of the bombing. Each source has been cross-referenced to ensure accuracy and credibility.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that "Sikh terrorists bombed a Canadian plane, killing hundreds" is indeed true. The Air India Flight 182 bombing was a significant act of terrorism carried out by Sikh extremists, resulting in the deaths of 329 individuals. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms the involvement of these terrorists and the tragic consequences of their actions.

Fact Check: Sikh terrorists bombed a Canadian plane, killing hundreds