New Delhi — U.S. Officials Probe Assassination Conspiracy Allegations
United States officials have reached out to their Indian counterparts to discuss claims that India might have been linked to a conspiracy to murder a Sikh separatist leader within U.S. borders, as per a statement from the U.S. National Security Council on Wednesday. According to the Financial Times, which first reported the allegations, the intended target was Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-Canadian dual national and a terrorist as per India’s government.
The Financial Times reported that “U.S. authorities thwarted” the assassination plot and also filed a warning about the potential involvement of India. Notably, the National Security Council declared that they were treating the matter “with utmost seriousness.”
While speaking about the Financial Times report, Adrienne Watson, NSC spokesperson, stated, “Indian counterparts expressed surprise and concern. They stated that activity of this nature was not their policy. Based on a discussion with senior U.S. Government officials, we understand the Indian government is further investigating this issue and will have more to say about it in the coming days.” She added that the Biden administration had “conveyed our expectation that anyone deemed responsible should be held accountable.”
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and the Khalistan movement
Born in India’s predominantly Sikh Punjab province, Pannun is a prominent figure. He is the founder of Sikhs for Justice, an organization that champions an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan. He left his home country several decades ago. Designated as a terrorist by the Indian government, it banned Pannun’s organization in 2019, citing “anti-India activities.”
Pannun’s troubles escalated recently after the Indian government registered a case against him for social media posts urging Sikhs to stop flying Air India. Attributing it to increased threat, he did not specify the reason.
It remains unclear whether the U.S. protest led the plotters to abandon their plan or if law enforcement successfully thwarted the plot. Both India and the U.S. have acknowledged the common security concerns and are set to take follow-up actions. U.S. federal prosecutors have reportedly issued a sealed indictment against at least one suspect involved in the plot.
The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada
This assassination plot comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s assertion of “credible” evidence implicating the Indian government in the murder of another Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada. India has denied any involvement. The Biden administration expressed deep concern and emphasized the importance of India collaborating with Canada to investigate the matter.
Pannun, who knew Nijjar for 20 years, vowed to avenge his death, as per a statement made to the Times of India in July.
