US confirms ‘CC1’, key figure in plot to assassinate Khalistani leader Pannun, ‘no longer’ employee of Indian government

The United States confirmed on Wednesday (October 16) that India has arrested the person identified in the US Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment as “CC1” in connection with a plot to kill Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to kill.

US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said at a press conference on Wednesday that the US is “pleased” with India’s cooperation.

Miller revealed that ‘CC1’, the Indian government official allegedly involved in the assassination plot of US citizen Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, “is no longer an employee of the Indian government”.

Asked whether America was satisfied with the Indian government’s cooperation, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “We are satisfied with the cooperation.”

Check out what he said here:

He said that while “it remains an ongoing process,” America “will continue to work with them on that.”

“But we do appreciate the collaboration, and we appreciate them keeping us informed of their research, just as we keep them informed of ours,” Miller added.

When asked about further meetings with India, he said, “I have nothing to announce today.”

According to reports, CC1 is an employee (now ex) of the Indian government who worked with Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, and asked him to pay an advance payment of $15,000 to a hit man to have Pannun killed.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American-Canadian dual citizen of Indian origin, is believed to have escaped an attempt on his life in June 2023. India had labeled him a terrorist in 2020.

America had previously raised concerns about the involvement of an Indian government official in the assassination plot and even issued a “diplomatic warning” in December last year.

The Washington Post reported in April 2024 that the operation was carried out on the orders of Vikram Yadav, an officer of India’s elite intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), commanded by then R&AW chief Samant Goel. .

(With input from agencies)