Indian Man Charged For Attempted Murder-For-Hire On Sikh Activist
One AmericaNOV 20 2023
US prosecutors have charged alleged former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav of plotting to assassinate US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist.The US Justice Department has filed charges against Vikash Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, for plotting to assassinate American citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York City.
Yadav's indictment was unsealed in a Manhattan court Thursday. Attorney General Merrick B Garland said the DOJ will go after anyone targeting US citizens.In an indictment unsealed Thursday, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York said that it found a direct link between the Indian government and the alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill Pannun on US soil.
FBI Director Christopher Wray Thursday also warned that the agency "will not tolerate acts of violence" against US residents exercising constitutional rights.The indictment, which mentions Yadav as a former officer in India's Research and Analysis Wing, describes Pannun as a Sikh separatist, a political activist, and an Indian government critic.
India must take decisive action following Thursday's identification of Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav as the alleged mastermind behind a foiled plot to assassinate a US-based Sikh activist. This revelation, coupled with Canada's parallel allegations about the killing of another Sikh leader, raises troubling questions about transnational repression emanating from the highest levels of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. India's credibility now hinges on conducting a genuine investigation into these serious allegations.
While Thursday's indictment of Vikash Yadav in a US assassination plot raises serious concerns, America's strategic partnership with India remains vital. The broader context of Khalistanseparatist extremism and its violent history, including terrorist attacks and temple assaults, underscores the complex security challenges India faces. With mounting global crises and China's growing influence, the US cannotcan't afford to damage relations with thisits key democratic ally. India's demonstrated cooperation in investigating the Pannun case suggests a commitment to accountability that deserves recognition.