On Wednesday, India established a high-level inquiry committee to investigate allegations surrounding a conspiracy of them assassinating Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi confirmed that the committee was formed on November 18 to thoroughly investigate into the allegations of conspiracy to assassinate the Khalistan extremist. Pannun, holds dual citizenship of both US and Canada, and is wanted by Indian probe agencies on various terror charges.
“We have already said that during discussions with the U.S. on bilateral security cooperation, they shared inputs regarding a nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others,” said Bagchi. He emphasised India’s commitment to taking such inputs seriously, as they impact national security interests. “Relevant departments were already examining the issue,” he added.
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Bagchi noted that the government would take necessary follow-up action based on the committee’s findings.
This development comes at a time when a report by The Financial Times said that US authorities had thwarted an alleged attempt by Indian intelligence agencies to kill Pannun. These allegations have surfaced after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudea had suggested a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a Vancouver suburb in June.
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On November 22, Bagchi acknowledged that the US had shared inputs on the nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, and terrorists.