Washington: The US Justice Department alleged that an Indian RAW officer had conspired to kill Khalistani terrorist Pannu last year. This work was to be carried out during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US. Federal prosecutors claimed that the officer has been identified as 39-year-old Vikas Yadav, who was working in India’s foreign intelligence service, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Indian government said RAW officer is no longer working
At the same time, the Indian ‘Investigative Committee’ probing the alleged conspiracy to kill a Sikh terrorist Pannu in New York has informed the US government that the Indian government employee named in the indictment of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is no longer working in the government. At the same time, the US has charged a man named Vikas Yadav with several charges including the murder of Pannu, including murder for hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
RAW officer’s associate lodged in US jail
The US Justice Department said that he has not been arrested yet. His co-conspirator Nikhil Gupta was arrested in Czechoslovakia last year and is lodged in a US jail after his extradition. It is to be noted that Nikhil Gupta had informed the US agencies about the said officer. Gupta is the person whom the US has considered the main culprit of plotting to kill Pannu. He was arrested in the Czech Republic and later extradited to the US.
India has banned Pannu
Gupta himself had told that he was instructed by an Indian officer (code name-CC1) to kill Pannu. It is to be noted that the Indian government has already put Pannu on the terrorist list, but he continues to organize anti-India rallies and other events from Canada and the US. He has formed an organization called Sikh for Justice, which has been banned by India.
India-US meeting
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Thursday that the meeting with the Indian investigation committee regarding the failed conspiracy to kill Khalistani terrorist Pannu in the US was positive. We are satisfied with their investigation and cooperation. Miller also said that the person is no longer an employee of the Indian government.
