Latest Gurpatwant Singh Pannun News | Top Gurpatwant Singh Pannun News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking Gurpatwant Singh Pannun News Today | English Gurpatwant Singh Pannun News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

Videos show Pannun at Trump’s inauguration

January 23, 2025, 2:32 am

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), was reportedly present at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration ceremony in the United States. Videos of his presence have surfaced, showing him moving cautiously in the crowd, in stark contrast to his usual aggressive rhetoric promoting Khalistan.

The veracity of the videos is, however, not known.

Two videos have emerged. In one, Pannun is seen roaming Capitol Hill like a regular attendee, with a Khalistan symbol pinned to his coat. A companion filmed him during this time. In another video, he appears near the stage where Trump stood with his wife, Melania. Amid chants of “USA-USA” by the attendees, Pannun briefly raises two slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad” but stops immediately, seemingly wary of drawing attention.

Pannun claims he was invited to the inauguration by Trump’s team. However, international media reports suggest that he purchased a ticket to the event. His restrained behaviour indicates he was cautious about avoiding unnecessary attention. Notably, no other Khalistan supporter was seen with him at the event.

Recently, Pannun has been spearheading a campaign for a Khalistan referendum in India. Through a social media account named “SFJ Team,” he shared a QR code to facilitate voting for Khalistan as a separate nation. The organization also provided a registration process on its website, allowing Sikhs and individuals from other religions to vote.

However, the Indian government promptly banned the account within 10 hours of its posts. Despite the ban, the QR code and related posts went viral on social media. No specific date for the voting was mentioned in the campaign.

Originally from Khankot in Punjab, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun currently resides in the US and holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. He runs SFJ, which was declared an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Indian government on July 10, 2019.

The organization was accused of using the guise of a Sikh referendum to support separatist and extremist ideologies in Punjab.

On July 1, 2020, Pannun was declared a terrorist under the UAPA. The Indian government also banned over 40 web pages and YouTube channels linked to SFJ in 2020.

Pannun faces 15 cases in India, including three sedition charges in Punjab. Active on social media, he frequently releases videos and audio messages in Punjabi, inciting anti-India sentiments and encouraging youth to rebel against the Indian government. Reports also claim that he has bribed individuals to hoist Khalistani flags on government buildings in Punjab and Haryana.

On June 30, 2023, Czech Republic police arrested Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta for allegedly plotting Pannun’s assassination. Gupta was extradited to the US on June 14, 2024, where he claimed innocence during his trial.

According to the FBI, the assassination plot was allegedly planned during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 visit to the US. Reports suggest that a former Indian official, Vikas Yadav, had asked Gupta to execute the plan.

This incident highlights Pannun’s controversial presence in international politics and his ongoing campaign against India.

Khalistani Terrorist Pannun Threatens Attack On India’s Ambassador To US Vinay Kwatra, MEA Reacts

December 20, 2024, 7:22 pm

Following the threats issued by US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized India’s serious approach to such security threats.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that these matters are promptly raised with the government of the United States.

At the weekly MEA press briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Jaiswal said, “As in when such threats are issued, we take the threats very seriously and we raise it with the US government.”

He also expressed confidence in the US addressing India’s security concerns.

Jaiswal added, “In this case, also, we have raised it with the US government, and it is our expectation that the US government will take our security concerns seriously.”

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship.

Earlier in October, the MEA had confirmed that the individual named in the US Justice Department’s indictment case in a foiled assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was no longer an employee of the government of India.

“The US State Department informed us that the individual in the Justice Department indictment is no longer employed by India. I confirm that he is no longer an employee of the Government of India,” Jaiswal had said.

The US Justice Department had claimed that an Indian government employee (named CC-1), who was not identified in the indictment filed in a federal court in Manhattan, recruited an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination of Pannun, which was foiled by US authorities, according to prosecutors.

Also read: Kalyan Assault Related to ‘Marathi Asmita’, Action Will Be Taken Against Those Responsible: Dy CM Shinde

According to the allegations levelled earlier, the accused Nikhil Gupta, is an associate of an employee of the Indian government and together they and others helped plot the assassination of Pannun in New York City.

Terry Milewski Criticizes Canada’s Stance On Khalistan Issue As “National Disgrace”

November 11, 2024, 3:42 am

Veteran Canadian journalist Terry Milewski has strongly criticized Canada’s handling of the Khalistan separatist issue, describing it as “hypocritical” and a “national disgrace.” Speaking to ANI, Milewski highlighted Canada’s failure to take a firm stand against the Khalistani menace over the past four decades.

Khalistani Attack on Hindu Sabha Temple Condemned

Referring to the recent attack on the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Milewski condemned the act, attributing it to Canada’s leniency towards Khalistani elements. “This open aggression by Khalistanis against Hindu temples is extremely disturbing,” he said, adding that Canadian politicians’ inaction has fueled such incidents.

Clarifies Misconceptions About Australia Today Blockade

Milewski also dismissed rumors about the blocking of the Australia Today website. “It has never been blocked or censored,” he clarified. He attributed the access issue to a commercial dispute between Facebook and Canadian regulators over content creator payments.

Impact of US Elections on India-Canada Relations

Shifting focus to international relations, Milewski discussed the potential impact of Donald Trump’s re-election on India-Canada ties. He noted Trump’s strong rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which could positively influence bilateral relations despite ongoing diplomatic tensions.

Rising Tensions Between India and Canada

India and Canada’s diplomatic ties have soured in recent months, particularly after Canada accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun—an allegation New Delhi has vehemently denied.

Conclusion

Milewski’s remarks come at a time when Canada faces mounting pressure to address Khalistani extremism, with the spotlight firmly on its foreign and domestic policies.

Is Air India Under Threat? Khalistani Terrorist Pannun Issues New Warning

October 21, 2024, 12:01 pm

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has issued a warning, urging people not to fly on Air India flights between November 1 and November 19. He claimed there could be an attack during these dates, which mark the 40th anniversary of the “Sikh genocide.”

Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the US, is the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an organization pushing for a separate Sikh state. He had made similar threats around the same time last year, following a pattern of issuing such warnings.

Amidst Rising Tensions Between India and Canada

This recent threat comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Canada, following Canadian accusations that India targeted Khalistani elements, including the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Meanwhile, Indian airlines have received several bomb threat calls recently, though all have turned out to be hoaxes.

Past Incidents and Legal Actions

In November 2023, Pannun released a video warning that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport would be closed on November 19, urging people not to fly on Air India that day. For this, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged him with criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between religious groups, and violating the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Pannun also made threats against Parliament last December, following reports of a foiled plot to kill him. He targeted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav earlier this year, calling for attacks on Republic Day.

Terrorist Designation

Since July 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs has designated Pannun as a terrorist for his secessionist activities through SFJ. The group was banned in India in 2019 as an “unlawful association” for promoting anti-national activities.

Ongoing Tensions With the US

In a separate development, on October 17, the United States charged a former officer of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for allegedly planning to murder Pannun, a claim India has denied, calling the accusations baseless.

India Arrests Key Suspect In U.S. Assassination Plot As Tensions Mount

October 15, 2024, 3:02 am

In a major development, India has informed U.S. authorities that it has arrested the individual identified as “CC1” in a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment, which implicated the suspect in a high-profile assassination plot targeting an American citizen. The dramatic arrest comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, with U.S. officials expressing satisfaction at India’s actions.

Who is “CC1”?

According to the DOJ indictment, “CC1” was a former Indian government official accused of directing a failed assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American national and a designated terrorist in India. The plot, allegedly orchestrated in New York in June 2023, involved hiring an assassin, who later turned out to be an undercover U.S. law enforcement agent.

India has clarified that the suspect is no longer a government employee and is now facing local charges. An Indian inquiry committee, formed after the revelations, has been actively investigating “CC1” and his connections. The committee will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet U.S. officials and share insights into the ongoing investigation.

U.S. Praises India’s Actions

A U.S. official confirmed the arrest and welcomed India’s cooperation, stating, “We are encouraged by the steps India has taken. This reflects the seriousness with which both governments are addressing the allegations.” The official also highlighted the sustained engagement between Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan.

Despite the tensions with Canada over similar allegations, the U.S. has emphasized that the two investigations are unrelated. “There is no trilateral conversation with Canada, India, and the U.S. The focus remains solely on this U.S. case,” the official said.

The Investigation Continues

India’s inquiry committee is not only sharing its findings with the U.S. but also investigating other potential linkages involving “CC1.” The committee’s visit to Washington is aimed at gaining further insights into the American investigation and collaborating on next steps.

Meanwhile, the intermediary allegedly hired to carry out the assassination plot, Nikhil Gupta, was arrested in Prague last year and extradited to the U.S. His trial is expected to begin soon. As for “CC1,” the investigation into his role continues, with both U.S. and Indian authorities closely collaborating.

Diplomatic Fallout and Tensions with Canada

The arrest comes on the same day that India downgraded its diplomatic relations with Canada, recalling its high commissioner and expelling six Canadian diplomats. However, U.S. officials stressed that the timing of these events is coincidental and not related to the ongoing investigation into the U.S. assassination plot.

Unlike Canada’s public accusations against India regarding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the U.S. has chosen to handle the matter privately through diplomatic channels, further highlighting the differences in approach between the two nations.

Conclusion: What’s Next in the CC1 Case?

As the investigation unfolds, the arrest of “CC1” marks a significant turning point in India’s efforts to address the allegations. With high-level engagement continuing between India and the U.S., both governments are committed to ensuring accountability and resolving the case through appropriate legal and diplomatic channels.

The U.S. is seeking compliance from India

August 20, 2024, 5:51 am

In an extraordinary interview to The Daily Guardian’s sister newspaper, The Sunday Guardian, Nikhil Gupta, the man who is at the centre of the alleged assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, spoke of his innocence and how attempts were being made to frame him in the case. According to the United States, Nikhil Gupta was taking instructions from an Indian government employee to hire a hitman to assassinate Pannun, who is a dual citizen of Canada and the US. The Indian government has denied the claim. It has said that assassinating enemies is not its policy. There is no reason to believe anything otherwise. It’s almost a year since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood up in Parliament and said that he had “credible” evidence that India was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar—another Khalistani terrorist, whom the West describes as an activist. Till date Canada has not provided a shred of “credible” evidence to the Indian government to connect it to Nijjar’s assassination.

It recently arrested three Indian nationals, but from all accounts, it seems that all three were connected with Khalistani gangs that function with impunity in Canada. If this is true, it will validate India’s contention right from the beginning that Nijjar’s assassination resulted from a local gang warfare. It seems the sole “evidence” that Trudeau was relying on is the US investigators’ claim that the Indian government was involved in the so-called murder attempt on Pannun. But Nikhil Gupta has denied this outright and has also made the damning allegation that he was under pressure from US investigating authorities to confess to a crime that he never committed. This was the fear all along, that once Gupta’s trial starts next month, he would have been given a deal for a lenient sentence in return for implicating the Indian government in the supposed assassination that the FBI undercover agents have unearthed. That Gupta has not fallen into the trap and has made public what the US authorities have been up to, is courageous.

The obvious question here is why the US would push to the edge its relations with a strategic partner for a terrorist—Pannun. One of the reasons could be that the US is unhappy with India’s independent stand on Ukraine and seeks compliance. It wants India to toe the Western line on the Russia-Ukraine war and sacrifice its relations with Russia. US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti recently snapped that there was no scope for strategic autonomy—which India practises—in the time of war, implying that India would have to choose a side. But why should India abandon its policy for a war that is taking place continents away? It’s not India’s war. In fact, the Global South as a whole harbours similar views. At a time when the focus should be on economic recovery post Covid, why isn’t the West striving for peace between Russia and Ukraine? Instead it’s arming Volodymyr Zelenskyy to keep him fighting an endless war in an attempt to topple Vladimir Putin.
India is clear that it has nothing to do with either the Nijjar assassination, or with the so-called murder attempt on Pannun. In spite of that India is being accused of committing “transnational oppression”, when that is exactly what the US or Israel does—and proudly so. The US has carried out innumerable transnational killings. Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is being celebrated as a hero by a large section in the West because of the transnational killings that Israel under him has carried out, thus pushing West Asia towards possible war. The hypocrisy involved is astounding. To quote from George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

What should also concern Indians is the treatment that Gupta claims is being meted out to him. He has been incarcerated in one of the most unsafe prisons in the US, the MDC Brooklyn. Gupta describes it as a slaughterhouse, where knife attacks are common. He says he was assaulted a few days ago, and that he was tortured when he was in the Czech Republic prior to this. And to think that the West lectures India on prison conditions in this country—an excuse that felons like Vijay Mallya and others use to stop their extradition to India.

The bottom line is that this case is political. Those in the West who pretend that this is about the human rights of a terrorist who threatens India with death and destruction and gets away with it in the name of freedom of speech, should be called out for their double standards. Meanwhile, Nikhil Gupta should not be allowed to fall victim to malign statecraft.

Gurpatwant Pannun Murder Plot: Indian National Nikhil Gupta Extradited To US From Czech Republic

June 17, 2024, 10:32 am

Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national suspected by U.S. authorities in an alleged assassination plot, has been extradited from the Czech Republic to the United States. The extradition follows accusations that Gupta conspired with an Indian government official to target Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent advocate for Sikh sovereignty based in the United States.

Gupta, aged 52, arrived in Prague from India last June and was subsequently apprehended by Czech authorities. After a Czech court dismissed his plea to avoid extradition, he was transferred to U.S. custody. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed Gupta’s current detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, as indicated by the federal Bureau of Prisons website.

The U.S. Justice Department declined immediate comment on Gupta’s extradition, while Jeffrey Chabrowe, Gupta’s U.S.-based attorney, has not issued a statement. Czech authorities have not responded publicly to Gupta’s transfer.

According to U.S. federal prosecutors, Gupta’s alleged involvement in the plot underscores ongoing tensions related to Sikh separatism. Pannun, who holds dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship, advocates for an independent Sikh state in northern India known as Khalistan.

In response to Gupta’s extradition, Pannun described Nikhil Gupta as a “foot soldier” acting under senior Indian government officials, allegedly directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indian authorities have vehemently denied any involvement in the alleged assassination attempt against Pannun.

The case has strained diplomatic relations between Western nations and India, amid assertions by Canada and the U.S. of Indian government links to similar incidents involving Sikh separatist figures. Both countries have expressed concerns about India’s stance on Sikh separatist groups operating outside its borders, viewing them as potential security threats.

India’s government has stated it does not support such plots and has pledged to investigate any security issues raised by Washington and other Western capitals.

While Washington has expressed initial satisfaction with India’s response, it has stressed the need for further actions to comprehensively address the allegations.

Gupta’s extradition to the U.S. marks a significant development in this complex case, highlighting ongoing sensitivities surrounding Sikh separatism and the broader implications for international relations between India and Western nations.

We continue to look forward to results of investigation: US State Department on Pannun case

April 4, 2024, 10:00 am

The US Department of State reiterated its dedication on Wednesday to conducting a thorough investigation into the purportedly thwarted assassination plan targeting India-designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. They affirmed that they have communicated this stance clearly to the Indian government.

During the daily press briefing of the US State Department, when asked whether the US had received a report from India regarding its internal investigation into the case, Mathew Miller, the official spokesperson of the US Department of State, declined to disclose any specifics. He emphasized their anticipation of the outcomes of the investigation by the Indian authorities.

“I’m not going to speak to media reports. I will just say that we have made clear to the Government of India that we want to see them conduct a full investigation, and we continue to look forward to the results of that investigation, but I don’t have any updates to offer,” Miller stated.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an India-designated terrorist, holds citizenship in both the United States and Canada. He has made repeated threats against India.

Earlier, in an interview with ANI, Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, acknowledged the collaboration between India and the United States in the investigation of the alleged thwarted assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

However, he underscored that a ‘red line’ should not be crossed, emphasizing that no government employee from any country should be implicated in an assassination plot against a foreign citizen.

“I think that’s absolutely critical. For any of us, just abstractly, that has to be a red line. No government or government employee can be involved in the alleged assassination of one of your own citizens. That’s just an unacceptable red line,” Garcetti remarked.

Regarding the ongoing investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate Pannun, Garcetti highlighted the cooperation between New Delhi and Washington in holding accountable those involved in criminal activities. He emphasized the strength and closeness of the current India-US relationship.

“Any country, having an active member of their government involved in a second country trying to assassinate one of their citizens. That’s, I think, usually a red line for any country. That’s a basic issue of sovereignty. That’s a basic issue of rights,” he added.

In response to the comments made by the US envoy, EAM S Jaishankar stated on April 1 that the case was being investigated based on the provided information.

“The US ambassador, as an ambassador, will say what he thinks is the position of his government. The position of my government is that in this particular case, there has been certain information provided to us that we are investigating,” Jaishankar said during a press conference in the national capital.

According to the indictment from the US Justice Department, an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta, who is currently in custody, has been charged with the murder-for-hire of Pannun. The US Justice Department alleged that an Indian government employee, unnamed in the indictment, had recruited Gupta to hire a hitman to allegedly assassinate Pannun, a plot which was foiled by US authorities.

The US envoy also commended India for establishing an inquiry commission to examine the matter.

Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Threatens Opposition to Ram Mandir Opening Ceremony on January 22

January 9, 2024, 11:52 am

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated Khalistani terrorist and leader of the Sikh for Justice group, has issued new threats against the upcoming inauguration of the Ram Mandir (Ram Temple) and called for Muslims to oppose the ceremony scheduled for January 22. The extremist leader has released a video in which he describes the Ram Mandir as “unholy, ungodly, and unrighteous,” urging followers to take action against the grand opening ceremony.

According to sources cited by News 18, Pannun has called for the shutdown of airports from Amritsar to Ayodhya ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony for the Ram Mandir, as reported by Republic. In the video, Pannun is quoted as saying, “From Amritsar to Ayodhya, shutdown airports. Now is the time, Muslims, you carve out a country Urduistan from India.” He claims that the ceremony will have “global consequences” and calls upon Muslims to engage in protests against the event.

Pannun further alleges that the Ram Mandir is built on the site of the Babri Masjid and labels Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “global enemy of Muslims,” according to intelligence sources. He goes on to describe January 22 as “Modi’s Operation Bluestar against Muslims.”

India declared Pannun a designated terrorist in 2020 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The American citizen and lawyer have a history of making threats, including targeting Indian consulates and missions in Canada, the UK, and the US over the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Last year, he circulated photos of Indian High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma and Consul General in Toronto Apoorva Srivastava in a poster accusing them of involvement in Nijjar’s killing.

In September, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) seized Pannun’s properties in Amritsar and Chandigarh, charging him and his organization with several sections of the Indian Penal Code and the UAPA on November 20.

SC to hear plea of Indian man detained in Prague for alleged foiled plot to murder India designated terrorist Pannun

December 15, 2023, 4:47 pm

The Supreme Court postponed the hearing of Nikhil Gupta’s habeas corpus petition on Friday. Gupta is accused by the US of plotting to kill India-designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The petition was filed in opposition to his arrest and the ongoing extradition process in the Czech Republic. The hearing is scheduled for January 4, 2024. Judges Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti noted that Gupta must file a relief request with the relevant court, which is located in the Czech Republic. In accordance with the plea, Nikhil Gupta is being held in custody in the Czech Republic while he awaits extradition to the United States in relation to the case there for his alleged involvement in a thwarted attempt to kill Pannun.

Go over there. We are not going to have an adjudication over here. The person detained has not given the affidavit. If there is a violation of any law, etc., you have to go to court over there,” Justice Khanna said.
Senior Advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for the petitioner, said that he is only pressing for relief for adequate consular assistance as he is an Indian citizen.
Justice Khanna said, “This is an extremely sensitive matter for the Ministry of External Affairs. It’s for them to decide.”
When the bench inquired about who filed the plea, Sundaram said that the plea had been filed by a family member of Nikhil Gupta. Justice Khanna said that the bench hadn’t had the time to read the case file as it was received late and adjourned the hearing.

NIA may discuss Khalistani terrorist Pannun issue during FBI chief’s visit to India next week

December 7, 2023, 11:16 am

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is getting ready to discuss the case of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun with the visiting US official, according to sources, as FBI Director Christopher Wray is scheduled to visit India next week. According to sources, Wray’s visit to India is anticipated to include meetings with representatives from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in this country’s capital. At a Wednesday event in Delhi, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti confirmed that FBI Director Christopher Wray will be visiting the country the following week.

Wray’s planned visit comes amid a US federal investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate Sikh radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, for which the US administration levelled allegations against an Indian national and an Indian agency official.

Ambassador Eric Garcetti discussed India-US relations during a panel discussion at the Carnegie ‘Global Technology Summit’ in New Delhi. He stated that, “outside of the US, this was the country that US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen visited the most.” This year, four times. This is not the first time that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has visited this place. For the second time, Lloyd Austin served as Secretary of Defense. Next week, the FBI director will be in town.

The FBI Director’s visit, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the United States and India on a range of law enforcement issues, comes days after US Principal Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA), Jonathan Finer, was in Delhi to meet with Vikram Misri, India’s Deputy National Security Adviser.

US charges Indian national for alleged bid to kill Khalistani terrorist

November 30, 2023, 2:40 pm

According to a statement released by the US Department of Justice, an attempted murder of a Sikh separatist residing in the US by an Indian plot was thwarted. The US inputs were being examined, the foreign ministry said earlier today. It was purportedly intended to harm Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who holds dual Canadian and American citizenship. A government employee from India was charged by the US Attorney’s Office today with involvement in a murderous plot.

Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, is facing accusations of “murder-for-hire” and “murder-for-hire conspiracy” from the US Attorney’s Office. He could receive a sentence as long as 20 years if found guilty.

The National Investigation Agency filed a case against Pannun on November 20th, claiming that he had posted messages on social media indicating that passengers on Air India flights were in danger. Additionally, he had stated that on November 19, Air India would not be permitted to operate. The US is “treating a reported plot to kill a Sikh separatist on American soil with utmost seriousness,” according to a statement made by the White House last week, and the matter has been brought up with the Indian government “at the senior-most levels.”

The Justice Department’s statement was released two months after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations of the “possible” involvement of Indian agents in the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which sparked a diplomatic spat. June saw the death of Nijjar, one of India’s most wanted terrorists and the leader of the outlawed Khalistan Tiger Force.

India constitutes high-level committee to investigate security concerns raised by US on criminal nexus

November 29, 2023, 2:05 pm

India announced on Wednesday that it has established a high-level inquiry committee to investigate all pertinent facets of the concerns expressed by the US on mutual security cooperation.
The Indian government will be taking “necessary follow-up action” in response to the inquiry committee’s findings, according to a statement released today by Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for the ministry of external affairs.

“We have already said that during the course of discussions with the US on bilateral security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others,” Bagchi said in a statement.
“We had also indicated that India takes such inputs seriously since they impinge on our national security interests as well, and relevant departments were already examining the issue,” the statement added.
The MEA said that the enquiry committee was constituted on November 18.
“In this context, it is informed that on 18 November 2023, the Government of India constituted a high-level Enquiry Committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter,” the MEA spokesperson said.
He added, “Government of India will take necessary follow-up action based on the findings of the Enquiry Committee”.

The US provided information about a “nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others” during recent talks on India-US security cooperation, the MEA reported on November 22.
According to Bagchi, India takes these suggestions seriously because they affect its own security interests as well. He said that both nations are concerned about the inputs and that the appropriate follow-up measures are being implemented.
A report purporting that the US foiled an attempt to kill India-designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil was earlier released by the UK-based Financial Times.

NIA raids 14 places in Punjab, Haryana naming listed terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

November 23, 2023, 12:35 pm

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted raids at the 14 premises of suspects in Punjab and Haryana having links to outlawed ‘unlawful Association’ Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) as well as its self-proclaimed General Counsel and listed individual terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The places being searched include Punjab’s Khanna and Moga; Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar and Kurukshetra among the 14. The raids are underway since morning in close coordination with the Punjab ad Haryana Police.
The NIA sleuths conducted the raids based on specific inputs about some suspects having links to the SFJ and Pannun.
The move comes two days after the NIA announced to register a case against ‘listed individual terrorist’ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the SFJ over his latest viral video threatening the passengers flying in Air India and the airlines with a global blockade and closure of its operations from November 19. The anti-terror agency made the announcement on Monday
The NIA has booked Pannun under various sections Indian Penal Code and sections Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
NIA said in a statement that “Pannun is the the self-proclaimed General Counsel’ of the outlawed ‘unlawful Association’ SFJ, and is in the eye of the storm yet again following the release and circulation of video messages on various social media platforms urging the Sikhs not to fly on Air India planes on and after November 19 claiming threat to their lives if they flew on Air India.”
Pannun also threatened that Air India would not be allowed to operate in the world.
Pannun’s assertions and threats have triggered a high alert as well as investigations by security forces in Canada, India and certain other countries where Air India flies.
In his video messages, released on November 4, Pannun had urged Sikhs to stop flying on Air India planes on and after the said date, citing potential threat to their lives.
He also issued a warning to the Government of India that “The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) would remain closed on the 19th of November.” IGIA, located in New Delhi, is one of the world’s busiest airports.
As part of his concerted plan to promote terror acts in India to revive terrorism in India, Pannun has been creating a false narrative around the issues prevailing in the state of Punjab, especially with regard to Sikh religion, by promoting enmity between the Sikhs in the country and other communities.
The latest threat is in line with the same narrative, which Pannun has actively promoted in the past by threatening & attempting to disrupt essential transportation network systems, including the Railways, as well as Thermal Power Plants in India.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had, on July 10, 2019, banned SFJ as an ‘unlawful association’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its activities. On July 1, 2020, Pannun was listed as an ‘individual terrorist’ by the Central government.
Pannun has been under the NIA lens since 2019, when the anti-terror agency registered its first case against him.
In September 2023, the NIA had confiscated his share of the house and land of the lister terrorist in Amritsar (Punjab) and Chandigarh Union Territory. Non-Bailable warrants of arrest were issued against Pannun by the NIA Special Court on February 3, 2021 and he was declared a ‘Proclaimed Offender (PO)’ on November 29, 2022.