An overnight shooting incident was reported at the residence of Simranjeet Singh, an aide of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, prompting an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Force (RCMP).

The police in Surrey responded to reports of gunshots after 1:20 am (Canadian time) on Thursday, reported CBC News.

Notably, Nijjar was a pro-Khalistani separatist who was gunned down by unidentified assailants outside his residence in Surrey in June last year. His death became the centre of an ugly diplomatic spat between India and Canada, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement behind his killing, which New Delhi rejected as "absurd" and "politically-motivated".

Corporal Sarbjit Sangha of the Surrey RCMP said officers in the area spoke to neighbours and witnesses, and are currently reviewing CCTV footage to find out more about the shooting. No individuals were injured in the incident, although a car was found heavily damaged by gunfire, along with multiple bullet holes in Simranjeet's house itself.

Sangha did not confirm how many shots were fired into the house, and said police believe the incident was isolated in nature. "The investigation is in, still, very early stages so the motive of this shooting has not been determined as of this time," she said.

A spokesperson for the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council, Moninder Singh said community members believe Simranjeet's connections with Nijjar played a role in the shooting. He said the "brazen middle of the night" attack nearly claimed the life of Simranjeet's six-year-old child, adding that he had been in touch with the police due to fears for his life. Moninder said Simranjeet organised a pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian consulate in Vancouver on January 26.