“Unfounded, insignificant accusations”: India responds to a US report identifying a RAW agent as part of a conspiracy to assassinate Pannun

NEW DELHI: India responded to a Washington Post piece on Tuesday, saying that it was making “unwarranted and unsubstantial imputations” on a critical issue and that one of its Research and Analysis Wing’s (RAW) employees had been engaged in a conspiracy to assassinate a Khalistani insurgent.

The report said that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a separatist living in the United States, was to be killed by a hired hit squad under the apparent direction of RAW member Vikram Yadav.

According to the article, US intelligence services came to the conclusion that Pannun was the target of an operation approved by RAW head Samant Goel at the time. It further mentions that, after the revelation of the unsuccessful Pannun operation last year, Yadav was transferred to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

India spokesman Randhir Jaiswal tweeted, highlighting that the country is already looking into the security concerns brought up by the US government: “The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter.” The Indian government established a High Level Committee to investigate security concerns, including networks of terrorists, organized crime, and other groups, which the US government has disclosed. The committee is now conducting its inquiry.

Remarks on it that are speculative and careless are not beneficial.

According to the White House, India is considering the claims of a conspiracy to kill Pannun in the US seriously. It did not, however, comment on the Department of Justice’s criminal case or the FBI’s investigation into the topic.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the Department of Justice is carrying out a criminal inquiry as part of the continuing investigation. She emphasized the two countries’ continued collaboration and the significance of India as a strategic partner.

According to a US newspaper, a RAW guy was part of an alleged scheme to remove Pannun.

Jean-Pierre stressed the gravity of the situation and acknowledged India’s determination to look into the claimed assassination plot. She said that the US demands responsibility and would keep bringing up issues with the Indian government directly.

Pannun, a well-known member of the Khalistan movement, is the spokesman and legal counsel for Sikhs for Justice, an organization that promotes the creation of a distinct Sikh state. Pannun is a terrorist, according to the Indian authorities.

The shooting death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year, which was also purportedly connected to Yadav, occurred at the same time as the suspected conspiracy to assassinate Pannun.