The Washington Post has reported that the Indian government allegedly supports a systematic assassination program led by its intelligence agency, RAW, targeting individuals within Pakistan since 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has purportedly authorized these operations, which involve a network operating from the Middle East. Many of the targets are linked to militant organizations, with Pakistan expressing concerns to U.S. intelligence on the lack of responsive action to these acts.
A recent report published by The Washington Post alleges that the Indian government has orchestrated a systematic assassination program targeting individuals within its rival, Pakistan. The clandestine operations are claimed to be executed by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s principal external intelligence agency, and are said to have been authorized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following his re-election in 2021, Modi has purportedly supported this initiative, which involves a sophisticated network of intermediaries facilitating targeted killings, particularly within Pakistan since 2023.
The report identifies the existence of at least six assassinations in Pakistan that are characteristic of RAW operations. These covert missions reportedly utilize a network of agents and operatives based primarily in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai. Financial transactions for these operations are said to be conducted through informal systems such as hawala networks managed by individuals from various nationalities, including Middle Easterners and Afghans.
Targeted individuals predominantly include members of militant organizations such as Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, groups recognized as terrorist entities by numerous Western nations. This designation has led to a certain degree of reluctance among Western entities, including the United States, to formally accuse India of infringing upon international law concerning sovereignty and due process.
The frustrations of the Pakistani government regarding these operations are reportedly communicated to U.S. officials, specifically by Nadeem Anjum, the director general of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). In 2022, Anjum is said to have informed William Burns, the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, about the alleged Indian assassination campaign. However, the response from the U.S. has been notably minimal following these discussions.
The evolving dynamics between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed states, has perpetuated an atmosphere of tension and conflict, largely stemming from historical disputes and ongoing hostilities. The use of covert operations and targeted assassinations underscores the complex strategies employed by nations within this geopolitical framework. The claims outlined in The Washington Post highlight the increasing scrutiny of India’s intelligence activities, particularly as they relate to regional security and international norms on state conduct. Furthermore, the context of India’s prior engagements with diaspora communities—especially those involving Sikh separatists in Canada—adds layers to the discourse on how states operate in the shadows outside their borders.
In summary, The Washington Post’s report unveils serious allegations against the Indian government regarding a calculated assassination campaign within Pakistan, purportedly orchestrated by RAW under Prime Minister Modi’s directives. The ramifications of such operations not only intensify India-Pakistan relations but also pose critical questions regarding state sovereignty and adherence to international legal standards. The muted international response thus far raises considerations about the effectiveness of diplomatic interventions in curtailing such clandestine state activities.
Original Source: intelnews.org
