Are They Being Targeted Or Killed By Their Own?
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2023-11-24 14:06:53
About the Author
Close on the heels of allegations by Canada that the Indian government and its agents were involved in the killing of a terrorist who was wanted in India, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil, now comes the report that the US had thwarted a plot to kill another wanted terrorist Gurparwant Singh Pannun on US soil. It is being reported that the US government raised the issue with India "at the senior-most levels" as it viewed it with utmost seriousness. The US authorities added that "Indian counterparts expressed surprise and concern. They stated that activity of this nature was not their policy". Meanwhile, the US authorities have filed a sealed indictment against one person suspected to be the perpetrator.
Of late, there have been many reports of terrorists wanted by India being killed in foreign countries. In quick succession, two such dreaded terrorists were reportedly killed in Pakistan. The killing of Nijjar and the alleged plot to kill Punnan shows that there is a pattern to these killings. Obviously, the India government and its agents will be the first on the suspect list. Most people would think that the killings have been conducted by covert operations by India's security agencies. But all foreign agencies investigating the said killings are ignoring the bigger picture. The terrorist/ separatist network targeting India is highly divided. There are many small and big groups and within those groups, there are sub-groups as there is jostling for supremacy between those who are leading these groups and sub-groups.
All these groups and sub-groups have their areas of influence, their patrons and their sources of funding, arms supply and logistics. Their paths cross frequently and deep and murderous enmity is common. When a killing like the one of Nijjar is carried out, the killers or conspirators are mostly of Indian origin. They may belong to one or other sub-group that did not want Nijjar to control the main group. Canada said it had 'credible allegations' that agents of the government of India were involved. But it has yet to provide proof. Similarly, the US government has, till now, not provided any proof. The Indian government is reportedly carrying out its own investigations in the matter. But without proof, it is not proper to allege that the Indian government is involved.
