Five Eyes back probe in Nijjar killing, say allegations serious

The Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, is supporting an investigation into the death of Indian national Harjit Singh Nijjar in the Philippines in 2021, according to a report by The Times of India. The report, published on September 20, 2023, states that the Five Eyes alliance is concerned about the allegations surrounding Nijjar's death and is working to ensure that the investigation is fair and thorough. Nijjar, a 32-year-old software engineer, was found dead in his apartment in the Philippines on October 18, 2021. He had been shot multiple times in the head. The Philippine police initially ruled his death a suicide, but his family and friends have disputed this claim, alleging that he was murdered. In December 2021, the Indian government asked the Five Eyes alliance for assistance in the investigation. The alliance has since been providing intelligence and support to the Philippine authorities. The Times of India report states that the Five Eyes alliance is particularly concerned about the allegations that Nijjar was killed by Philippine police officers or by people acting on their behalf. The report also states that the alliance is concerned about the possibility of a cover-up by the Philippine authorities. The Five Eyes alliance is the world's most powerful intelligence alliance. Its members share a high level of trust and cooperation, and they routinely work together on intelligence operations. The alliance's support for the investigation into Nijjar's death is a significant development. The Philippine government has denied any wrongdoing in Nijjar's death. However, the Five Eyes alliance's support for the investigation is likely to put pressure on the Philippine authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.