Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Air India Bombing Inquiry Highlights Decades-Old Canadian Investigative Lapses
More than 40 years ago, Air India Flight 182 was bombed.
The attack killed 329 people.
Former Canadian Supreme Court Judge John Major has discussed problems in the investigation.
The inquiry looked at whether intelligence agencies shared information properly.
It also examined airport security weaknesses.
Investigators considered the destruction of evidence.
The inquiry said authorities did not adequately understand the Khalistani extremist threat.
The report is being discussed again as an example of serious investigative lapses.
Air India Flight 182 was bombed more than 40 years ago, killing 329 people.
Former Canadian Supreme Court Judge John Major has highlighted serious investigative failures.
The inquiry examined intelligence failures and inadequate coordination between agencies.
It also reviewed airport security gaps and the destruction of evidence.
The inquiry found authorities failed to adequately understand the Khalistani extremist threat.
- Who
- Former Canadian Supreme Court Judge John Major and the inquiry into the Air India Flight 182 bombing.
- What
- John Major highlighted intelligence, coordination, security, evidence-handling and threat-assessment failures connected to the investigation.
- When
- More than 40 years after the 1985 bombing.
- Where
- The bombing involved Air India Flight 182; the inquiry examined failures in Canada.
- Why
- To highlight serious investigative lapses and the failure to adequately understand the Khalistani extremist threat.
- Incident
- Bombing of Air India Flight 182
- Deaths
- 329 people
- Time elapsed
- More than 40 years
- Key figure
- John Major, former Canadian Supreme Court judge
- Inquiry focus
- Intelligence failures and lack of agency coordination
- Additional issues
- Airport security gaps and destruction of evidence
- Threat assessment
- Failure to adequately understand the Khalistani extremist threat