Indian national arrested for plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

• Action by US

• US claims that an Indian officer ordered Pannun to be killed

(Credit – India.com)

New York (US) – US Police have apprehended Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, in connection with the attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, US-based leader of the Khalistani terrorist organisation ‘Sikhs for Justice’. Gupta stands accused of being hired by an unidentified Indian official to carry out the murder. The name of this officer has not been disclosed yet. Several days ago, the US Government alleged that there was a conspiracy to launch a lethal attack against Pannun in New York, with indications pointing towards India’s involvement. This plot was thwarted, although the specific date of the planned attack remains undisclosed. In response to these allegations, India had pledged to conduct a thorough investigation. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June, US officials presented this issue to India.

On 29th November, the chargesheet filed against Nikhil Gupta was disclosed in New York. He faces charges related to conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder by accepting money. The charge sheet also mentions about USD 1 lakh. This amount was given to Gupta as an advance. The Indian official, identified as ‘CC-1’ in the chargesheet, is described as an employee of an Indian Government agency who has repeatedly identified himself as a ‘Senior Field Officer.’ It is alleged that CC-1 holds the position of officer-in-charge within the Security Management and Intelligence Department.

Nikhil Gupta, aged 52, has a history of engagement in international drug and arms smuggling. He was apprehended on 30th June by Czech Republic authorities, in accordance with the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and the Czech Republic. If convicted, Nikhil could face a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison for his involvement in this case

Nikhil Gupta agreed to pay USD 1,00,000 to the killer. Of this, USD 15,000 were paid.

What was the plot ?

At the behest of an Indian official, Nikhil reached out to a criminal with the intent to assassinate Pannun; however, unbeknownst to Nikhil, this criminal was an undercover US officer. Subsequently, this officer introduced Nikhil to another intelligence operative willing to carry out the murder. A deal was struck for approximately Rs 83,000,00 to facilitate the crime. Following the agreement, the Indian officer CC-1, furnished Gupta with comprehensive information, including Pannun’s New York home address, phone number, and daily routine. Nikhil Gupta instructed the hired assassin to expedite the job, with the caveat not to execute the murder during the period of high-level meetings between Indian and US officials, coinciding with Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US.

Gupta had disclosed to the assassin that Hardeep Singh Nijjar was also on the target list. Subsequent to Nijjar’s murder in Canada, CC-1 forwarded a news report related to Pannun to Gupta, emphasising that eliminating Pannun had become the top priority

India’s Stand

India has provided clarification in this matter. India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a press conference that, “India is taking these allegations seriously. A case has been filed against a person in a US Court, linking him to an Indian official, which is a matter of concern. This is against the policies of the Government of India. According to the Bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement with the US, both countries have provided information to each other. We have taken this information seriously. This is why we have constituted a high-level inquiry committee”.

Editorial Perspective

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been making anti-India statements for the past few years along with threatening to carry out terrorist activities in India. Does US not see this ? Why is US not taking action against him ? This shows the duplicity of US in relation to India. It should be remembered that India trusting such US is like committing suicide.