Covert killings

Recent investigative revelations by The Washington Post have exposed a disturbing reality: India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has orchestrated a series of targeted assassinations in Pakistan. According to the report, since 2021, RAW has meticulously pursued an assassination campaign, killing at least six individuals deep within Pakistan. These covert operations, allegedly directed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have involved complex networks of intermediaries, informal banking channels, and siloed operational teams, all designed to maintain plausible deniability. This alarming report corroborates findings from The Guardian last year, which detailed nearly 20 killings in Pakistan since 2020, attributed to unknown gunmen. India’s transgressions are not confined to Pakistan. In September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of involvement in the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, citing ‘credible allegations’ of Indian state agents’ involvement. This was followed by US revelations in November 2023, detailing an Indian government official’s role in a failed assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist. The US Justice Department even charged an Indian government employee with murder-for-hire and money laundering related to this plot. Meanwhile, the mysterious death of Sikh separatist leader Avtar Singh Khanda in the UK has also been linked to Indian state foul play, according to his family.

By targeting dissidents and perceived ‘enemies’ across international borders, India has blatantly disregarded international norms and laws. These acts are not only a grave violation of sovereignty but also a stark indictment of India’s credibility as a responsible global actor. The evidence now emerging from Western media and governments underscores what Pakistan has long warned: India’s reckless and destabilising actions pose a threat not only to its neighbours but also to global security. Despite Pakistan’s repeated warnings, the international community has turned a blind eye, prioritising geopolitical alliances over accountability. India’s role as a counterweight to China in the region has seemingly insulated it from criticism. However, these revelations demand a reassessment. If the West continues to shield India to maintain its anti-China strategy, it exposes the hollowness of international law and the principles of sovereignty.

The time has come for the global community to act decisively. India’s state-sponsored terrorism must be condemned unequivocally, and it must be held accountable for its actions. The evidence is undeniable: India’s covert assassinations in Pakistan, Canada, and the US illustrate a dangerous disregard for international norms and an alarming willingness to export its authoritarian tactics abroad. Failure to address these actions will undermine rule of law and global stability. Pakistan has consistently called for international scrutiny of India’s actions. With corroborating reports from credible Western sources, the world must acknowledge India’s transgressions. The international community must demand transparency, accountability, and adherence to international law. Anything less would be a betrayal of the principles that underpin global order and justice.