A report by The Guardian has made startling allegations regarding India’s purported involvement in targeted killings within Pakistan, implicating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office in the orchestrations. According to sources within Indian and Pakistani intelligence circles, the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), a agency directly overseen by PM Modi’s office, is said to have orchestrated the assassinations under the guise of eliminating terrorists residing on foreign soil.
The report asserts that India’s foreign intelligence agency embarked on a bolder approach to national security post-2019, engaging in alleged assassinations abroad. Notably, this is not the first instance where India has been accused of such actions.
Previously, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had raised ‘credible allegations’ against India in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Similarly, the United States claimed to have thwarted an assassination attempt on another Khalistani separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The Guardian’s investigation zeroes in on incidents in Pakistan, suggesting that over 20 targeted killings have occurred since 2020. Allegations point to Indian intelligence sleeper cells, primarily operating from the United Arab Emirates, being behind the orchestrations. The report suggests a surge in such incidents since 2023, with Indian agents allegedly recruiting jihadists for the shootings.
Furthermore, the report draws parallels between India’s purported actions and the extrajudicial killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, citing it as an inspiration. Pakistani intelligence sources claim to have evidence linking Indian operatives to several killings on Pakistani soil, though these documents remain unverified.
In a response to the Guardian, India’s ministry of external affairs denied all the allegations, reiterating an earlier statement that they were “false and malicious anti-India propaganda”. The ministry emphasised a previous denial made by India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, that targeted killings in other countries were “not the government of India’s policy”.
The allegations raise serious questions about India’s foreign policy and its engagement with neighbouring countries, casting a shadow over diplomatic relations in the region. As investigations continue and allegations mount, the ramifications of these accusations could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations. (Courtesy Guardian and Mint)