ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reached out to the US and Canada over Indian role in orchestrating the assassinations of two Pakistani citizens within its borders last year.
- A senior Pakistani diplomat revealed that India’s “transnational killings programme” targeted individuals in other countries, including Pakistan and others.
- Operations in multiple countries showed similarities in sophistication, compartmentalization, and involvement of criminal syndicates.
- New Delhi faced international criticism and investigations for alleged covert assassination operations targeting critics and opponents abroad.
- Incidents like the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and a foiled plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York raised concerns about India’s use of secretive and illegal methods to silence dissent globally.
- Nikhil Gupta’s indictment for attempting to kill Mr. Pannun revealed links to Mr. Nijjar’s killing, indicating Indian involvement.
- The US formally urged India to collaborate with Canada in investigating Mr. Nijjar’s killing.
- India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was suspected of utilizing criminal groups in the UAE to assassinate Sikh and Kashmiri separatists in Pakistan.
- Pakistan is investigating around 10 cases, with conclusive evidence of Indian involvement in two assassinations of Pakistani nationals with links to the Kashmir issue.
- Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi emphasized holding India accountable for violating international law.
