Nearly four decades after the bombing of Air India Flight 182 — known as Kanishka — Canadian authorities have identified the mysterious figure who helped test one of the bombs used in the deadliest terror attack in Canadian history. But justice will remain elusive: the man, referred to as “Mr. X,” died before he could be charged.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed they had finally uncovered the identity of the individual who assisted in testing an explosive device just weeks before the June 1985 mid-air bombing of the Kanishka, which was en route from Montreal to Mumbai. However, they have chosen not to release his name.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul confirmed that the individual, previously referred to only as “Mr. X,” was involved in preparing an explosive device used in the deadly plot. However, his identity remains confidential due to privacy regulations, even posthumously.
Teboul is part of a Canadian delegation visiting Ireland to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing that claimed 329 lives, most of them Canadians. The ceremony at Ahakista, the site of a memorial on Ireland’s coast, will include dignitaries such as Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin, Indian representatives, and local officials.
Tracking the Mysterious Mr. X:
Mr. X was linked to a bomb test conducted on June 4, 1985, in a wooded area near Duncan, British Columbia. He was accompanied by Talwinder Singh Parmar, the alleged mastermind behind the attack and the founder of the Babbar Khalsa separatist group. They met with Inderjit Singh Reyat, an electrician, who had been involved in assembling the bomb.
The group was under surveillance by Canadian intelligence officers at the time. Agents heard an explosion in the area but dismissed it as a gunshot, not realizing it was a live bomb test.
Parmar was killed by Indian police in 1992 before any charges could be filed against him in connection with the bombing. Reyat was later convicted of manslaughter for his role in a separate explosion at Japan’s Narita Airport that occurred less than an hour before the Air India blast, killing two airport workers. He also admitted to assisting Parmar and Mr. X in assembling the bomb for Flight 182, but during his testimony claimed he didn’t know Mr. X’s identity — a statement that led to a later perjury conviction.
Justice Unlikely, But Investigations Continue
Teboul acknowledged that despite the identification of Mr. X, the possibility of further criminal proceedings is extremely low. “The chances of another trial are minimal,” he said.
Nonetheless, the RCMP continues to wrap up aspects of the investigation, including working with victims’ families, cataloging evidence, and assisting in remembrance efforts.
One of their current initiatives includes collaborating with Canada’s foreign ministry to keep wreckage from the downed Air India aircraft in Canada, with the goal of creating a permanent public exhibit or memorial.
Remembering the Victims, Honoring the Shared Loss
Teboul emphasized the significance of the memorial in Ireland, describing it as a symbol of respect for both victims and survivors. “This was Canada’s largest act of terrorism, and we have a duty to remember and honor those affected,” he said.
He also acknowledged the strong bond that has formed with Irish first responders who helped recover victims’ remains. “Though this was a Canadian tragedy, it deeply impacted the Irish as well. Their involvement in the aftermath created a lasting emotional connection,” Vancouver Sun quoted him as saying.
Still Waiting for Closure
On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182 was destroyed mid-air by a bomb planted in checked baggage, killing all 329 on board. Most of the victims were Canadian citizens.
For the families, the pain has never faded. Despite decades of investigations, trials, and public inquiries, many feel justice was never fully served. Forty years later, they continue to seek answers and recognition, often expressing disappointment over how the Canadian government has handled the tragedy.
