Fri Oct 18 14:50:03 UTC 2024: ## Indian Citizen Charged in US for Plotting to Murder Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Pannu
**Washington D.C., October 17, 2024:** A US federal court has charged an Indian citizen, Vikash Yadav, with conspiring to murder Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a Khalistani terrorist designated by India. Yadav, previously identified as “CC-1” in the original charge sheet, is alleged to have contacted Nikhil Gupta, another Indian national arrested in the Czech Republic last year in connection with the same case.
Yadav allegedly instructed Gupta to hire a hitman to assassinate Pannu, who holds US citizenship.
The charges were filed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) on October 17, following the arrival of a two-day-old Indian investigative team in the US. Notably, the US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller confirmed that Yadav is no longer associated with the Indian government.
The DoJ revealed that Yadav was employed by the Indian Cabinet Secretariat, which oversees the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s foreign intelligence agency.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland asserted, “Regardless of who they are or how close they are to power, the Justice Department will take decisive action if they seek to harm or silence American citizens.”
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen added, “We will disrupt any plans by foreign governments to do so and hold those responsible accountable.”
The latest developments come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada. Canada has accused Indian agents of orchestrating the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year and of plotting other violent acts on Canadian soil. While India has strongly refuted these claims, the controversy has led to the withdrawal of top Indian diplomats from Canada.
This case further underscores the global implications of the ongoing dispute between India and Canada, fueled by the activities of Khalistani separatists and the accusations of foreign interference.
First Piper 