2 of trio held for Nijjar killing went to Canada on study visas

JALANDHAR/GURDASPUR: Two of three suspects held by

Canada

over last year's murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar come from well off families in Punjab and had gone overseas on

study visas

, following a trend common in the state. Their kin expressed shock at the

arrests

& were confident that they will be cleared in court.
While Kamalpreet Singh (23) was in Canada for studies and comes from a farmer's family in Jalandhar, relatives of Karanpreet Singh (28) are also agriculturists and say he worked as a driver.

Third suspect, Karan Brar, also went to Canada for studies.
"Most youths here go abroad. He went there on a study visa in 2019," said Kamalpreet's father Satnam Singh, a key official in Chak Kalan near Nakodar in Jalandhar district.
On Kamalpreet's association with other two accused, Satnam said he was aware of his friendship with Karanpreet and they had stayed together in the same house in Canada. "I have heard Karan's name for the first time," said Satnam.

Also an agent at the local grain market, Satnam recalled that Kamalpreet would call the family every week. "For us, everything was normal till we received this shock," he said.
At Sundel village in Gurdaspur district's Aliwal, Karanpreet's family said they had spoken to him on the phone a day before his arrest on Friday and that "everything was normal". "He appeared normal without any indication of being in trouble," said Karanpreet's dad Sukhdev Singh.
Punjab police visited their home for an inquiry about Karanpreet. Sukhdev said Karanpreet had hired a lawyer and will be produced in court on Monday. "I am certain he is innocent and will be acquitted," he said.