Satyanarayan Mohapatra
The US State Department has expressed satisfaction with India's cooperation in the ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This assurance comes after an Indian inquiry committee met with US officials to discuss the case.
At the heart of this plot is Nikhil Gupta, an Indian citizen arrested in the Czech Republic in June 2023. Gupta is accused of being hired to carry out Pannun's assassination under the direction of a mysterious figure identified only as 'CC1,' a New Delhi-based Indian government official.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment describes 'CC1' as a "senior field officer" with expertise in security management and intelligence, who previously served in India's Central Reserve Police Force. While his identity remains officially undisclosed, The Washington Post has named him as Vikram Yadav.
Adding another layer to this intricate story, India has confirmed that 'CC1' is no longer a government employee. This revelation raises questions about the nature and extent of 'CC1's' alleged involvement in the plot and whether he was acting on official orders or as a rogue agent.
The assassination plot was ultimately foiled due to an unexpected twist. Gupta, who reportedly has links to drug and arms trafficking, allegedly hired a hitman to carry out the assassination. However, this hitman turned out to be an undercover agent of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), leading to Gupta's arrest and the unraveling of the plot.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that India had informed them that 'CC1' was no longer a government employee and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation from India in the investigation. This suggests that India is actively assisting in uncovering the truth behind this alleged plot and holding those responsible accountable.
DISCLAIMER: This brief is based on information from publicly available sources and reflects the author's interpretation of the topic.
