U.S. Declares Ex-RAW Officer Most Wanted Over Plot to Kill Khalistani Leader Pannun—Double Standards on Terrorism?
In a surprising twist, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has declared former Indian intelligence officer Vikas Yadav as "Most Wanted," accusing him of conspiring to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This move raises questions about America’s approach to terrorism, especially as Pannun is listed as a wanted terrorist in India, while the U.S. portrays him as a lawyer and political activist.
Yadav, who once served with India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), is being accused of planning Pannun's murder and transferring funds to hire a shooter. The FBI has issued a wanted poster for Yadav, identifying him as the mastermind behind the failed assassination attempt. However, the U.S. description of Pannun—omitting his Khalistani separatist links—highlights a potential double standard in how America handles foreign terrorists versus its own.
The U.S. has often justified military actions across countries like Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria to eliminate terrorists, but when it comes to individuals like Pannun, who threaten the territorial integrity of allies like India, the approach seems softer. The FBI has also accused Yadav of money laundering, further complicating the case.
The Story Behind the Charges
The charges against Vikas Yadav include orchestrating Pannun's murder by sending crucial details about him to a hired mediator. Yadav allegedly funneled $15,000 in cash through illicit means for the operation. Despite these allegations, Pannun’s name is conspicuously absent from the FBI’s most-wanted poster, where he is referred to only as a lawyer and political activist.
Pannun: A Wanted Terrorist in India, an Activist in the U.S.
Pannun is no stranger to controversy. India has labeled him a terrorist for his anti-India activities, including pushing for the creation of Khalistan—an independent Sikh state. Over the years, Pannun has openly incited violence against India and been linked to multiple acts of separatism. He is considered a major threat to India’s sovereignty. Despite his violent advocacy, the U.S. has chosen to ignore his background, treating him as a regular political activist.
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America’s Selective Approach to Terrorism?
The FBI’s actions raise important questions about America's approach to global terrorism. While the U.S. has carried out several high-profile operations to eliminate terrorists in other countries—such as Osama bin Laden in Pakistan and Qassem Soleimani in Iraq—its handling of Indian concerns over Khalistani extremists appears softer.
In contrast, RAW has long been India's premier intelligence agency, protecting the nation from internal and external threats. By targeting a former officer, the FBI risks sending mixed signals about international cooperation on terrorism, especially when Pannun has openly encouraged separatist movements and violence in India.
What’s Next?
With an arrest warrant issued by a New York court, Vikas Yadav now finds himself a wanted man in the U.S. India, however, maintains that Yadav left RAW years ago, and his current activities are independent of the Indian government.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the geopolitical complexities at play when it comes to counterterrorism, especially when nations have differing definitions of who qualifies as a terrorist. India continues to view Pannun as a significant threat, while the U.S. seemingly protects him as one of its own.
The case of Vikas Yadav versus Gurpatwant Singh Pannun underlines the challenges in global terrorism policies. While India and the U.S. are strategic allies, their differing stances on individuals like Pannun highlight ongoing tensions in how both nations approach security, sovereignty, and justice.
