Indian Intelligence Officer Indicted in US Over Alleged Assassination Plot Against Sikh Leader

US Department of Justice has officially charged Vikash Yadav, an operative linked to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), for his alleged role in a failed plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), on American soil. The indictment also includes charges of money laundering.
According to US officials, 39-year-old Yadav is accused of orchestrating the plot from India, following directives purportedly given by Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Advisor. Pannun has stated that the attempt on his life was part of a broader campaign by Indian authorities to target Sikh separatist leaders abroad.

US Attorney Damian Williams highlighted that this case is tied to previous charges filed against Nikhil Gupta, an Indian-American, last year. Williams emphasized that Gupta, who was accused of conspiring to hire a hitman, was acting under instructions from Yadav. “The plot was not an isolated act but part of a larger, coordinated plan,” said Williams, adding that the investigation points to illegal activities organized and directed from overseas.

The charges against Yadav come as a significant development in the ongoing US investigation into foreign covert activities on American soil. Authorities have raised alarms about the potential dangers of foreign interference, especially when it involves attempts to target individuals based on political beliefs.

With the indictment, US officials have stressed their commitment to protecting national security and ensuring that such plots do not threaten individuals residing in the United States. As legal proceedings continue, all eyes will be on how this case impacts diplomatic relations between Washington and New Delhi, and whether India will cooperate with the ongoing investigation.