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U.S. Media Exposes RAW Plot to Assassinate Sikh Separatist Pannun on June 22

Apr 29, 2024, 12:24 PM

A series of investigative reports by major U.S. media outlets, including The Washington Post, have unveiled an alleged assassination plot on U.S. soil orchestrated by India's intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The target was Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist. The operation, reportedly authorized by then-RAW chief Samant Goel, involved RAW officer Vikram Yadav who relayed final instructions to a hired hit team on June 22. This occurred concurrently with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the U.S., where he was honored at a White House state dinner and addressed Congress. U.S. intelligence assessments and sources indicate that the plot might have been known to higher Indian government echelons, including NSA Ajit Doval and possibly PM Modi himself. The CIA has assessed the situation, and India has stalled the probe. The revelations have caused a stir among Western security officials and have led to diplomatic tensions, with the U.S. warning India prior to the publication of these findings.