Ex- Indian official Vikash Yadav on FBI's most wanted list

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a wanted poster for former Indian government employee, Vikash Yadav, in connection with his alleged role in directing a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is a US citizen.The Justice Department on Thursday announced criminal charges against Vikas Yadav, 39, who was employed by the cabinet secretariat, which houses India's foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).FBI Director Christopher Wray has claimed that the defendant, an Indian government employee, allegedly conspired with a criminal associate and attempted to assassinate an American citizen on US soil for exercising their First Amendment rights.

Justice Department Announces Charges Against Indian Government Employee in Connection with Foiled Plot to Assassinate U.S. Citizen in New York City https://t.co/80PSJB0q8M @NewYorkFBI pic.twitter.com/Qc6NniIFQd

— FBI (@FBI) October 17, 2024

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday 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," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press conference.Vikas Yadav, also known as “Vikas” and “Amanat”, according to the indictment, is the second person to be charged in connection with the case.
According to the indictment, “Yadav has described his position as a ‘senior field officer’ with responsibilities in ‘security management’ and ‘intelligence’. Yadav also has previously served in India’s Central Reserve Police Force and received ‘officer training’ in ‘battle craft’ and ‘weapons’. Yadav is a citizen and resident of India, and he directed the plot to assassinate the victim from India,” it said. India in November last year formed a high-level inquiry committee to address the security concerns highlighted by the US government. The MEA said that India takes such inputs seriously since they impinge on national security interests as well, and relevant departments were already examining the issue.