A monument built for the victims of the 1985 bombing of Air India's Kanishka flight has been vandalised ahead of the incident's 25th anniversary, prompting the Canadian police to launch an investigation.
Members of the Indo-Canadian community are outraged that a stainless steel gnomon or shadow caster — which produces a shadow on a memorial sundial when lit by the sun — was stolen earlier this month.
Graffiti with black paint were also seen on the face of the sundial.
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The monument, located in Humber Bay Park East in Toronto, also features a wall naming the 329 people who were killed when a bomb exploded on Air India's Kanishka Flight 182 as left the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985.
Two baggage handlers killed by an associated bomb at Narita Airport in Japan are also honoured on the wall.
Cleaners have removed the graffiti and officials are hoping to have a newly built gnomon installed in time for the anniversary.
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The Toronto Sun reported that it will cost about $4,800 to replace the gnomon. In 2005, Ottawa declared June 23 the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.