A former Indian intelligence officer has been charged by the United States for allegedly orchestrating a failed plot to assassinate an American citizen who advocates for Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh state.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday that Vikash Yadav faces serious charges, including murder-for-hire and money laundering, in connection with the attempted killing of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
This indictment marks a significant turning point, as it directly implicates the Indian government in the assassination attempt of a dissident for the first time.
The Indian government stated it is cooperating with the ongoing investigation in the United States but has not yet addressed the specific accusations against Yadav.
The latest developments occur following the extradition of Nikhil Gupta, another Indian national charged in the case, from a prison in Prague earlier this year.
According to FBI allegations, Indian agents were involved in a plot to assassinate Pannun, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, alleging he was targeted for exercising his rights to free speech.
“The FBI will not tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the U.S. for exercising their constitutionally protected rights,” stated FBI Director Christopher Wray.
India has designated Pannun as a terrorist, a claim he denies, asserting his role as an activist advocating for Khalistan.
The indictment details that Yadav was the architect of the murder plot and tasked Gupta with orchestrating the assassination in May 2023 in exchange for the dismissal of charges against him in India.
In June 2023, Yadav allegedly provided Gupta with personal information about Pannun, including his home address in New York City and phone numbers, as part of the assassination scheme, according to the indictment.
In response to Yadav’s indictment, Pannun described the assassination attempt on U.S. soil as a “clear case of India’s transnational terrorism,” calling it a direct challenge to America’s sovereignty and freedom of speech.
Yadav’s indictment comes on the heels of serious allegations raised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who claimed that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, which has sparked diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.
India has firmly rejected these accusations, labeling them as “preposterous” and suggesting that Trudeau is catering to Canada’s sizable Sikh population for political gain.
This week, the U.S. State Department urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation, highlighting the international ramifications of the case.
Overview of Vikash Yadav
The indictment portrays Vikash Yadav as a “citizen and resident of India,” and he is also known by the names Vikas and Amanat.
Yadav is identified as having worked within the Government of India’s cabinet secretariat, which oversees the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the nation’s premier intelligence agency operating under the Prime Minister’s Office.
He has been described as a “Senior Field Officer” involved in security management and intelligence operations. Furthermore, Yadav is reported to have served in India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and received training in combat and weaponry.
Official sources indicate that Yadav remains in India, and the U.S. is expected to pursue his extradition.
The U.S. State Department expressed satisfaction with India’s cooperation in the investigation related to the alleged murder plot. Meanwhile, tensions between India and Canada continue to escalate, with both nations exchanging accusations.
India has reportedly requested Canada to extradite individuals associated with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi but has received no response.
Canadian authorities have alleged that Indian government agents are involved with Bishnoi’s gang in orchestrating violent crimes and targeting supporters of the pro-Khalistan movement, accusations that India denies, citing lack of evidence.
India’s claims are a direct rebuttal to Trudeau, who stated that India had made a “massive mistake” if it were involved in the death of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil.
