A former Indian government official, Vikash Yadav, has been charged in the U.S. for allegedly orchestrating an assassination attempt on a Sikh separatist leader in New York City, according to an indictment filed by the Justice Department. Yadav, 39, faces charges of murder-for-hire and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors claim Yadav, identified as a “senior field officer” for New Delhi, coordinated the plot from India, hiring Nikhil Gupta, another Indian national, to find a hit man to target an attorney and U.S. citizen involved in the Khalistan separatist movement. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic last year and extradited to the U.S.

FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that Yadav conspired to target a U.S. citizen for their free speech activities. A wanted poster for Yadav, who remains at large, was issued by the FBI.

India previously stated that the assassination attempt did not reflect its government policy and formed an inquiry committee following allegations against Gupta. The indictment was revealed as Indian committee members met with U.S. officials in Washington. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that Yadav is no longer employed by the Indian government and acknowledged India’s cooperation.

The case comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, after Canada accused India of involvement in the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another pro-Khalistan leader. India denied the allegations, citing a lack of evidence, and both countries expelled each other's diplomats.

Though the DOJ did not disclose the New York target’s identity, the Associated Press identified him as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a vocal Khalistan advocate whom Indian authorities have designated as a terrorist