Indian High Commission in Ottawa observes 38th anniversary of Air India flight 182 Kanishka bombing

The Commission tweeted: " High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma paid homage to the victims of Air India flight 182 Kanishka in Ottawa. The flight was brought down in a dastardly terrorist attack in 1985. Family members and friends of the victims, Members of the Canadian Parliament, officials of Government of Canada incl the RCMP Commissioner, and representative of the Embassy of Ireland, attended the solemn occasion. India shares the sorrow and pain of the victims' near & dear ones and stands at the forefront to counter the global menace of terrorism."

In a statement, the High Commission said: " On 23 June 1985, Flight no. AI 182 Kanishka flying on Montreal, Canada–London, UK–Delhi, India route, operated by Air India, the then India’s national carrier, exploded mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Ireland, as result of a cowardly act of terror, carried out by Canada based Khalistani terrorists. 329 innocent passengers were killed - victims being Canadian and other foreign nationals, including many Indian nationals; and including children. "

" This tragedy is the worst ever in Canadian aviation history on date and shall remain an unbearable loss for not only the families of the victims, but also for humanity as a whole," read the statement.

The High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver, together with family members of the victims and members of the Indian Diaspora, participated in remembering the victims of the attack, in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver on June 23.

"While thirty-eight years have passed since the cowardly act, terrorism has unfortunately assumed proportions of an existential threat to international peace and security today. It knows no borders, nationality, or race, and is a challenge that the international community faces and needs to combat collectively," read the statement.

The statement further said: "Any act of glorifying terrorism is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people."

 Do you know about the attack?

The incident took place on June 23, 1985 and can easily be called one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in world history.

All aboard airplane Kanishka, 329 passengers and crew, were killed.

Since then, this day has become a day of grief and remembrance for the people who lost their loved ones in the incident.