SOURCE: AFI
In a shocking and violent incident, a man identified as an agent of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was reportedly set on fire by a mob in Canada. Sources informed CNN-News18 on Saturday that the victim, Rahat Rao, runs a forex business in the Surrey Central area and belongs to the Canadian-Pakistani community.
The incident occurred when a person visited Rao’s office for a routine money exchange transaction. According to reports, the visitor then set Rao on fire before fleeing the scene. The motive behind this brutal act remains under investigation.
Rao’s name had previously surfaced in connection with another high-profile case. In September 2023, he was questioned by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Surrey in relation to the murder of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. “RCMP did not disclose the reason for their visit publicly, but it was possibly related to his knowledge about the killing of Nijjar,” a source told News18.
Nijjar, who had been designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June of the previous year. His murder had stirred significant controversy and speculation regarding the involvement of various international agencies and actors.
The recent attack on Rao has raised numerous questions about the ongoing tensions and undercurrents within the Canadian-Pakistani community and the broader geopolitical implications. The involvement of ISI and the background of the victim suggest that this incident might have deeper ramifications, possibly linked to international espionage and community dynamics.
The RCMP is currently investigating the incident, trying to piece together the events that led to this violent act. They are also looking into any connections between Rao’s alleged espionage activities and the recent attack. The assailant’s identity and motives are yet to be uncovered.
As the investigation unfolds, this incident underscores the complex and often dangerous interplay of international espionage, community politics, and criminal acts. It also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in addressing crimes with potential links to global intelligence networks and regional conflicts.