US authorities have reportedly thwarted a plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in the United States, raising concerns about potential involvement by the government in New Delhi, as reported by the Financial Times (FT) on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the situation. The target of the alleged plot was Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an American and Canadian citizen advocating for a separate Sikh homeland known as \"Khalistan.\"
The report does not clarify whether the warning issued to New Delhi influenced the plotters' decision to abandon their plans or if the FBI intervened to disrupt an ongoing scheme. Following the murder of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, limited allies of the US were informed about the plot. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that there were \"credible allegations\" linking New Delhi to Nijjar's killing, a claim rejected by India.
The US protest and a sealed indictment were reportedly issued against at least one alleged perpetrator of the plot in a New York district court, according to sources.
The US justice department is deliberating whether to unseal the indictment or await the completion of Canada's investigation into Nijjar's killing before making the allegations public. The report suggests that one individual charged in the indictment may have left the US, adding complexity to the case.
While there was no response from the US justice department and FBI, the National Security Council refrained from commenting on ongoing law enforcement matters but emphasized the paramount importance of upholding the safety and security of US citizens.
Details of the Pannun case were reportedly shared by Washington with a broader group of allies following Trudeau's public disclosure of information about the Vancouver killing. India, dismissing Canada's claims about New Delhi's involvement in Nijjar's murder as 'absurd,' declined to comment on the recent developments, according to the FT report.
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