ISLAMABAD: A recent report by The Washington Post has accused India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of orchestrating a covert assassination campaign that has contributed to a surge of targeted killings in Pakistan.
The report claims that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his assertive leadership, is driving India’s actions beyond its borders, signaling a new phase in the ongoing shadow conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
One of the most high-profile incidents highlighted in the report is the assassination of Amir Sarfaraz, also known as “Tamba,” in Lahore in April 2023. Sarfaraz, a former prisoner involved in the 2011 killing of an Indian intelligence officer, was shot dead by gunmen on a motorbike. Pakistani authorities have accused India of involvement, citing the similarities to previous attacks linked to RAW.
This murder is part of a wider pattern of targeted killings that Pakistani officials claim have been escalating since 2021.
Investigations suggest that RAW has established a sophisticated network to facilitate these killings. Sources from both Pakistani and Western intelligence agencies reveal that intermediaries in Dubai act as coordinators, hiring local criminals and Afghan nationals. Payments are allegedly funneled through informal banking systems like hawala.
The operatives are said to receive precise instructions, often based on intelligence gathered from India’s vast regional network.
A former Indian official revealed that India’s murder-for-hire tactics were first tested in Pakistan before being expanded globally. In 2014, India’s national security adviser, Ajit Doval, remarked that while direct military action against Pakistan was impractical, covert measures could be used to retaliate against Pakistan for supporting militant groups attacking Indian targets.
India’s covert operations targeting Pakistan are not a recent phenomenon. In 2012, Indian Army General V.K. Singh allegedly led small-scale bombings in Pakistan and a failed attempt to assassinate Kashmiri militant Syed Salahuddin. Additionally, some sources suggest India may have been involved in the 2013 shooting of Nasiruddin Haqqani, a suspect in the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul.
However, the report claims that the scale of targeted killings escalated in 2021, following Modi’s re-election and his aggressive stance towards Pakistan. Pakistani officials argue that such actions undermine regional stability and erode trust between the two countries.
The report also discusses international implications, noting a US federal indictment against Vikash Yadav, an officer with RAW, for attempting to orchestrate an assassination in New York. Yadav allegedly instructed his associate, Nikhil Gupta, to hire a hitman for a Sikh separatist. US authorities thwarted the plot after Gupta unknowingly contacted a DEA informant.
In Canada, officials uncovered an extensive Indian campaign targeting the Sikh diaspora, involving surveillance, intimidation, and even attempts on lives. Indian diplomats in Canada were allegedly implicated in these operations, with communications revealing their involvement, though the source of the information remains unclear.
Political science expert Christopher Clary compared RAW’s methods to those of Israel’s Mossad, noting that while Israel’s operations have been effective in less-developed countries, they have also been exposed, such as in the 2010 killing of a Hamas leader in Dubai.
The killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023 led to diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. India has remained tight-lipped about the allegations, maintaining that its operations are meant to counter terrorism and protect national security.
Despite sporadic peace talks, relations between India and Pakistan remain strained. Pakistan accuses India of using covert operations as part of a broader strategy to pressure Islamabad on issues such as Kashmir and counter-terrorism efforts.
These revelations add a dangerous layer to an already volatile geopolitical situation, as both nations face internal challenges. While Pakistan grapples with economic difficulties, India faces mounting international scrutiny over its human rights record. India’s covert assassination campaign, however, further destabilizes an already fragile region.
