The US Justice Department has charged a former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav for allegedly directing a plot to assassinate Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has also added Vikash Yadav to their ‘most-wanted’ list. And just like clockwork the usual suspects, Congress and their ecosystem have used this opportunity to not only target the government, but also patriots in service like Vikash Yadav, just for a few political brownie points.

After the arrest of Nikhil Gupta, Vikash Yadav is the second Indian national to be charged in the United States in the alleged plot to asassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun, an Indian origin citizen of the US and Canada, is the leader of the banned outfit Sikh for Justice (SFJ) and is infamous for his provocative anti Hindu speeches and issuing threats. Pannun is an open Khalistani and a wanted terrorist in India.

Who is Vikash Yadav

According to the provided information, Yadav is an Indian citizen. He was earlier employed by India’s Cabinet Secretariat, which also comprises India’s spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

As per the details claimed by the US, Yadav was a ‘senior field officer’ having responsibilities, including ‘security management and intelligence’. Yadav has also served in the Central Reserve Police Force and his last rank was that of Assistant Commandant, commanding a 135-man company. He has reportedly also received counterintelligence, battlecraft, weapons and paratrooper training.

According to details provided by the FBI, Yadav is described as a 39-year-old, born in Haryana, with a height of 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 1 inches, weighing approximately 175 pounds (about 79 kgs) and having black hair and brown eyes.

US theory on Vikash Yadav

On Thursday (17 Oct), the US Justice Department announced the filing of murder-for-hire and money laundering charges against Vikash Yadav. Yadav, 39, remains at large.

Vikash Yadav’s alleged co-conspirator, Nikhil Gupta, 53, was charged and extradited to the US from the Czech Republic. The US accused Vikash Yadav in a plot to assassinate Pannun from India. The Justice Department accused Vikash Yadav of directing the plot and said he hired Nikhil Gupta to engage a hitman to carry out the murder.

Gupta allegedly contacted an individual he believed to be a criminal associate to hire a hitman. The US theory claims that the hired individual was a confidential source working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has so far confirmed that the “individual” named in the US Justice Department’s indictment, is no longer associated with the Indian government.

“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.

Congress, TMC go on deranged rant

As soon as the news regarding Vikash Yadav broke a Congress official handle used the opportunity to attack both the former officer and the Indian government. In a now deleted tweet the Mumbai Congress handle called the alleged attack a sign of transnational repression.

TMC leader and spokesperson Riju Dutta also went on to attack the ruling party and mock the intelligence agencies, in the process even disregarding the work of Vikash Yadav a dedicated patriot.

In a series of posts Sagarika Ghose the TMC leader from Rajya Sabha joined in to lecture the government on following a rules based order, even coming out to attack the home minister Amit Shah for the same. Calling on the government to give explanations regarding the issue in the Parliament.

‘Journalist’ and husband of TMC leader Sagarika, Rajdeep Sardesai also joined in, first questioning the government to provide details, and then even offering his ‘expert’ advice to the intelligence agencies on how to conduct their operations.

Vikash Yadav gets support on Social Media

While Congress and co have been attacking Vikash Yadav, the former soldier is also getting tremendous support from people all across the country.

Incidentally the FBI post regarding Vikash Yadav was also flagged and community noted on X as misinformation.

Journalist Abhijit Iyer Mitra also posted asserting that there is no chance the patriot will be extradited to the USA.

While the Congress, TMC, AAP, and other individuals with vested interests may continue their senseless attacks, the vast majority of the nation are outrightly supporting the army veteran. Vikash Yadav is a hero for the public, a man allegedly attempting to eliminate India’s enemies, like Pannun. It must be understood that these charges have not yet been proven and so far are only claims of the USA, but one thing is for certain, every nationalist will back the son of the soil, Vikash. For the rest it is another opportunity to defame the nation, in another words, business as usual.