Fresh disclosures from the US Department of Justice have added a new dimension to the alleged assassination plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Court documents filed in the United States claim that Indian national Nikhil Gupta told an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officer that Hardeep Singh Nijjar “was also a target” — a day after Nijjar was shot dead in Canada.
The statement, allegedly made on June 19, 2023, came just 24 hours after Nijjar was killed by unknown gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. According to prosecutors, Gupta added during the conversation, “We have so many targets.” The remark has drawn renewed attention because Nijjar had earlier been designated a terrorist by the Indian government over alleged involvement in pro-Khalistan activities.
The Justice Department described Pannun as a vocal critic of the Indian government and the head of a US-based organization advocating for the secession of Punjab to form a sovereign Sikh state called Khalistan. American prosecutors allege that Gupta played a key role in coordinating a contract killing aimed at Pannun in New York City.
Investigators claim Gupta approached an individual he believed to be a criminal associate to arrange the hit. That individual was, in fact, a confidential source working with the DEA. The source later introduced Gupta to a supposed hitman, who turned out to be an undercover DEA officer. Authorities allege that $100,000 was agreed upon for the assassination and that $15,000 was paid in cash as an advance in June 2023.
According to court filings, detailed personal information about the intended target — including home address, phone numbers, daily schedule, and surveillance photographs — was shared with the undercover officer. Prosecutors argue that these exchanges demonstrate active planning and coordination.
The case documents also reference Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington in June 2023. Prosecutors allege that Gupta instructed the undercover officer to avoid carrying out the attack around the time of the Prime Minister’s visit. However, following Nijjar’s killing — which occurred just two days before the visit — Gupta allegedly indicated there was no longer a need to delay the plan.
Another individual named in the indictment is Vikash Yadav, described as an employee of India’s Cabinet Secretariat. US prosecutors allege that Yadav directed Gupta to arrange the contract killing and that Gupta acted in coordination with individuals in India and elsewhere. These allegations remain part of ongoing legal proceedings.
Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic on June 30, 2023, and later extradited to the United States. He has since pleaded guilty in connection with the case. His plea marked a significant development, but the broader investigation continues.
The case carries substantial diplomatic and geopolitical implications. It touches on issues of cross-border security, separatist activism, and relations between India, the United States, and Canada. As court proceedings advance, further details are expected to emerge, potentially shaping the international discourse surrounding the matter.
Summary of Key Highlights: US court documents allege that Nikhil Gupta told a DEA undercover agent that Hardeep Singh Nijjar “was also a target.” The statement was reportedly made a day after Nijjar’s killing in Canada. Gupta has pleaded guilty in the US in connection with the alleged plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Prosecutors claim $100,000 was promised for the assassination, with $15,000 paid as an advance. The case has significant diplomatic implications involving India, the US, and Canada.