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India marks 40 years since Air India Kanishka bombing
Ministers and officials from India, Ireland, and Canada gathered near the site of the mid-air explosion in Ireland to pay tribute to the victims
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Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 23, Jun 2025
- 12:56 EDT
- 19
40th anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka) bombing in Ahakista, Cork, Ireland, / PIB
India observed the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182 with a solemn ceremony in Ahakista, Ireland, to honour the 329 people who lost their lives in one of the worst aviation terror attacks in history on June 23.
Ministers and officials from India, Ireland, and Canada gathered at the memorial near the site of the mid-air explosion to pay tribute to the victims and call for renewed international cooperation against terrorism.
Also Read: 40 Years Later, Air India Bombing Survivors Demand Global Action on Khalistan Terror
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, representing India at the event urged the global community to act collectively against terrorism. “The world needs to come together—not only in isolated episodes of solemn mourning such as these, but in collective, proactive efforts to combat terrorism,” he said.
Present Threat
Calling the bombing a “deliberate, heinous act carried out by fringe elements seeking to divide India,” Puri warned that terrorism remains a present-day threat.
“India has suffered the scourge of terrorism for decades — from Jammu & Kashmir to Punjab to Mumbai. Time and again, our people have endured bombings, assassinations, and atrocities,” he said.
Unitedagainstterrorism: 40th anniversary of Air India Flight 182 Kanishka bombing
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 23, 2025
On behalf of the people and Govt of India, a 7-member delegation led by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas @HardeepSPuri paid tributes to the victims at the Ahakista… pic.twitter.com/6YfuNMq3tM
Citing a 22 percent global rise in terrorism-related deaths in 2024, the minister emphasized the need for coordinated international action.
Canada collaboration
He urged Canada to deepen cooperation with India in addressing shared security threats through intelligence-sharing, counter-radicalization efforts, and the disruption of terror financing.
“Canada is a valued partner and friend. We share vibrant cultural and economic relations... India stands ready to do more. Our security agencies, intelligence apparatus, and diplomatic channels are fully committed to partnering with the world to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated,” he stated.
Puri also expressed gratitude to the people of Ahakista and the Irish government for their compassion following the 1985 tragedy. “They opened their homes and hearts to grieving families—an act of humanity that continues to inspire,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, local officials, first responders, and victims' families. Wreaths were laid and a moment of silence was observed at the seaside memorial garden overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Concluding his remarks, Puri said, “Let today’s commemoration be a united message—those who spread hate and terror will never prevail over humanity, democracy, and friendship.”
Air India Flight 182, also known as “Kanishka,” was en route from Montreal to Delhi via London when it was brought down by a bomb planted by Canada-based extremists. The Boeing 747 disintegrated mid-air 45 minutes before reaching Heathrow, killing all 329 on board—including over 80 children.
The attack, attributed to the Khalistani group Babbar Khalsa, remains Canada’s deadliest terrorist incident and was the worst aviation terror act in the world until 9/11. Among the victims were 268 Canadians, 27 British nationals, and 24 Indians.
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