US authorities: Indian government official plotted to kill Sikh separatist leader in New York City

By LARRY NEUMEISTER and ASHOK SHARMA
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. authorities have announced murder-for-hire charges against an Indian man who they say plotted to assassinate a U.S. citizen in New York City. The charges were unsealed Wednesday in an indictment in Manhattan federal court. They also indicated an Indian government official directed the assassination plot. India had set up a high-level inquiry after U.S. authorities raised concerns with New Delhi that its government may have had knowledge of a plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader on American soil. U.S. officials became aware of the plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is considered a terrorist by the Indian government. It’s not clear how the alleged assassination attempt was derailed.