Vikas Yadav, a former Indian intelligence officer, has been charged by U.S. authorities for allegedly orchestrating a foiled assassination plot targeting Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The plot reportedly aimed to eliminate Pannun around the time of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. in June 2023.
Details of the Plot
Yadav faces multiple charges, including murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
He is accused of recruiting Nikhil Gupta, who was arrested in Prague and later extradited to the U.S., to hire a hitman for the assassination.
The indictment reveals that Yadav communicated with Gupta using encrypted messaging apps, providing personal details about Pannun, including his addresses and phone numbers.
This incident has escalated tensions between India and the U.S., particularly in light of similar allegations regarding the assassination of another Sikh separatist in Canada.
In response, the Indian government has distanced itself from the allegations, stating that it does not engage in extraterritorial killings and is conducting its own investigation into the claims.
Pannun, a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen, has been a prominent advocate for Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh state, and faces terror charges in India. He has characterized Yadav’s actions as being directed by high-ranking Indian officials, suggesting a broader strategy to suppress the Khalistan movement.
