The Chhattisgarh

Tag: Pannun Assasination

  • Pannun Assassination Plot: US Says ‘Regularly Working’ With India On Probe Amid Allegations Of RAW Official’s Involvement |

    New Delhi: A day after India rejected the Washington Post report related to Khalistani terrorist Gupatwant Singh Pannu’s assassination plot, the United States said it is ‘regularly working’ with New Delhi in probing the accusations concerning the alleged plot to kill the separatist Sikh leader. India has vehemently dismissed the allegations of involvement of a RAW official in the plot, asserting that the report levied ‘unwarranted and unsubstantiated’ imputations on a serious matter.  It added that an investigation into the case is underway. 

    As per the news agency PTI, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, “We continue to expect accountability from the Government of India based on the results of the Indian inquiry committee’s work, and we are regularly working with them and enquiring for additional updates.” 

    Patel stated that they would also persist in expressing their concerns directly to the Indian Government at senior levels. However, beyond that, Patel mentioned that they wouldn’t delve deeper into the matter and would defer to the Department of Justice. This was in response to a question regarding The Washington Post report, which identified the RAW officer as Vikram Yadav and alleged his involvement in the plot to assassinate Pannun. 

    India Slams US Daily’s Report 

    External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal denounced the report by the US daily on Tuesday, stating that it made unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter. Jaiswal further mentioned that a high-level inquiry committee, established by New Delhi to examine the information provided by the US regarding the alleged plot, was still investigating the case.  

    Jaiswal in New Delhi said that speculative and irresponsible comments regarding the ongoing investigation were not helpful. 

    India Refuted Alleged International Conspiracy 

    Last November, US prosecutors accused Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen, of teaming up with an Indian government worker in a failed plan to harm Pannun. Pannun is wanted in India for terrorism and holds citizenship in both the US and Canada. He’s been labeled a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.  

    The claims about this plot surfaced after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Indian involvement in the killing of a separatist named Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last June. India strongly refuted these allegations.  

    On December 7, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that India set up an inquiry to investigate the information provided by the US regarding the Pannun case because it relates to national security.

  • ‘Serious Issue…’: US Calls For Accountablity In Alleged Murder Plot Of Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun |

    New Deljhi: In a recent development that has strained diplomatic relations between the United States and India, a high-ranking US diplomat has labeled the alleged assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist, as a “serious issue” for both nations. Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, emphasized the gravity of the situation during a Congressional hearing focused on Pakistan’s election. 

    “This is a serious issue..We take it incredibly seriously, raised at the highest level with India. Encourage India to hold accountable those responsible”, Lu said.

    Lu pointed out that the US Department of Justice has implicated an Indian citizen, allegedly acting under the direction of an Indian government official, in a plot to assassinate Pannun on American soil. The administration is taking this accusation very seriously, and the matter has been escalated to the highest levels of dialogue with India.

    In response to this incident, India has established a committee to conduct a thorough investigation. Lu urged for a swift and transparent inquiry to ensure that justice prevails. The accused, Nikhil Gupta, is currently detained and faces charges of murder-for-hire.

    The US Justice Department’s indictment alleges that an unnamed Indian government employee orchestrated the recruitment of Gupta to hire a hitman for the assassination, which was ultimately thwarted by US authorities. This case has brought to light the complex web of international relations and the challenges of ensuring accountability across borders.

    Last December, Jon Finer, the US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, acknowledged the steps taken by India to address the situation, including the formation of a Committee of Enquiry.