India criticises Washington Post's assertion of ‘Hit Team’ in US

India has strongly denied allegations made by The Washington Post claiming that an Indian intelligence officer hired a hit team to assassinate US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The report suggested that the operation was approved by Samant Goel, former chief of India's spy agency RAW, according to US intelligence agencies.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, labelled the allegations as baseless and lacking evidence. He emphasised that an ongoing investigation is being conducted by a high-level committee formed by the Indian government to address security concerns shared by the US regarding organised terrorists, criminals, and others. Jaiswal criticised speculative and irresponsible comments on the matter.

India has recently indicated its resolve to pursue terrorists even across borders. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India would enter Pakistan to eliminate terrorists fleeing over the border after attempting terrorist activities in India. This statement came after allegations by Britain's Guardian newspaper that India had conducted targeted killings in Pakistan since 2020 to eliminate terrorists residing on foreign soil. The Washington Post article controversy surrounding these actions has further intensified international scrutiny.

The US Justice Department indicted an Indian national in an alleged foiled assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The indictment claimed that a government employee recruited an Indian national to hire a hitman for the assassination, which was prevented by US authorities. This development could have an impact on India-US relations as both countries navigate the fallout from the incident.

Canada has also accused Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India has consistently raised concerns about Canada providing refuge to anti-India extremists.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the seriousness of the nexus between organised crime, gun running, trafficking, and extremism at an international level. It reiterated the establishment of a high-level committee to address these issues and stated that India would be guided by its findings.