In response to a recent report by the Washington Post alleging the involvement of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in a purported assassination attempt against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has vehemently dismissed the claims as “unwarranted and unsubstantiated.”
According to the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the report makes baseless accusations on a serious matter and could potentially undermine the ongoing investigation being conducted by the High-Level Committee established by the Government of India. This committee was formed to address security concerns shared by the US government regarding organized criminal networks, terrorists, and others.
The Washington Post report alleged that a RAW officer, Vikram Yadav, instructed a hired hit team to eliminate Pannun, a US-based Khalistani separatist. The report further claimed that the operation was approved by the then-chief of RAW, Samant Goel. However, the Indian government has not responded directly to these assertions.
The report also indicated that Nikhil Gupta, currently detained in Prague, was indicted by American authorities for his involvement in the plot, allegedly acting at the behest of an Indian official identified as CC-1.
While the Washington Post focused on the alleged involvement of RAW in the assassination plot, it failed to acknowledge the broader context of rising extremism and intimidation against members of the Indian diaspora who do not align with the Khalistani ideology. It also neglected to mention the efforts of Khalistani separatists in rallying support for their cause in various countries, posing a direct threat to Indian sovereignty.
Furthermore, the report falsely suggested Indian involvement in the killings of “separatists living in exile” in Pakistan, a claim that has been refuted by Indian authorities. These incidents were clarified as part of internal gang rivalries.
The MEA spokesperson emphasized that India remains dedicated to combating terrorism in all its forms and will continue to collaborate with international partners to address security challenges effectively.
