THE controversial practice of overseas target killing, a clandestine instrument used by some states to ‘neutralize’ their perceived threats abroad has its origin in the complexities of intra-state relations in emerging geopolitics. Overseas target killing has historically been used as a tool by countries like Israel and the United States (US), mainly through their intelligence agencies – Mossad and CIA respectively to achieve desired results. This insight examines the BJP-led Indian mindset regarding target killing and the role of intelligence agencies like CIA and Mossad in a similar context.
Mossad is known for its strategic overseas target killings, which it cited as critical to national security, particularly against perceived existential threats. “Operation Wrath of God’’ (1972-1980s) and the killing of Imad Mughniyeh, a senior military commander of Hezbollah in 2008, are notable examples. Likewise, Mossad is believed to have assassinated several Iranian nuclear scientists in the 2010s to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and the recent strategically planned alleged assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah with the use of explosive devices and bunker busters.
Likewise, the CIA has been involved in extrajudicial killings, especially during the war on terror, with a history of covert assassinations and advancements in technology that shifted its tactics towards drone warfare. Since 2004, CIA has used drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia to target the most wanted terrorists, resulting in significant debate over their legality due to numerous civilian casualties. The assassination of Osama bin Laden and Major General Qasem Soleimani, further demonstrated the CIA’s capabilities in intelligence gathering and covert operations at large.
Meanwhile, India, a relatively new player in overseas target killings on the international stage is pursuing an assertive and aggressive foreign policy under Modi’s regime to advance its self-proclaimed national security objectives. While historical instances of India’s involvement in overseas target killings, especially in the West, are limited, the country is now following the lead of the US and Israel while eliminating individuals perceived as enemies in the name of national security. It is done through the agents recruited and trained by India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
In continuation of this new assertive and aggressive strategy, India has repeatedly targeted Sikhs and Kashmiris residing in Pakistan in a series of assassinations, which have raised serious concerns regarding the breach of security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the states like the US, Canada and Pakistan. The Indian government often cites national security concerns as a rationale for these assassinations. The following graph shows countries where India has recently targeted the individuals.
Despite this phenomenon starting some years ago, it only came to the limelight after the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegedly by India, in Canada and a failed assassination attempt on another Sikh activist in the US in 2023. On 25 January 2024, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary publicly condemned India for carrying out extra-judicial killings in Pakistan in two instances, with more cases under investigation. This implies that India has been involved in more killings in recent years.
Furthermore, the BJP-led government has been taking credit for recent killings, which suggests that it used these incidents for political gains within India’s domestic politics. This has also been a slogan during election campaigns in India. These actions also indicate a concerning politicisation of the Indian military and intelligence agencies, which are being utilised for domestic political interests. Moreover, the anti-Pakistan rhetoric to garner votes shows the inherent weakness of the Indian political structure, where the country’s political elite still relies on Pakistan-centric propaganda to gain popular support.
In an interview with an Indian news channel, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly stated that India would extra-judicially execute anyone perceived as an alleged ‘threat’ and pursue them even if they were in Pakistan’s territory. From his statement, it can be inferred that the Indian government is involved in these extra-territorial assassinations. Furthermore, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who survived a failed assassination last year, has filed a civil lawsuit against the Indian government and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
In this way, India’s approach to target killings reflects a complex interplay of breaching the national security of different nation-states. As countries navigate the complex landscape of global threats, using such measures highlights the need for more explicit international norms and accountability mechanisms. Without them, the line between legitimate defence and extrajudicial actions will remain blurred, risking global stability and undermining the rule of law.
The repeated occurrence of these killings, as reported in the British newspaper ‘The Guardian’ (April 2024), raises questions about the performance of our local intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Although there should be an internal investigation for lapses in intelligence, they should also be acknowledged for their ability to establish the links of these assassinations to the mastermind, i.e., India.
Pakistan, being a responsible state, has communicated its concerns to Indian authorities and also approached the countries whose territory India used to carry out these activities. Such incidents create a point of convergence to deepen diplomatic and intelligence channels between Pakistan, Canada, the US, and the UK and bring India to the accountability table.
In this regard, there is a need of time that Pakistan must take India to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and raise such issues at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the United Nations (UN) to expose India’s true intentions. While these steps seem feasible theoretically, putting them into practice will be difficult as global organisations have vested interests and international political entities have double standards. Additionally, the unilateral decision by a state to assassinate an individual in a foreign land raises questions about the rules-based order that the West advocates.
It is also important to emphasise that India’s global assassination programme will negatively impact and even disrupt stability worldwide. It has been a year since the assassination in Canada, and still, no concrete action has been taken against the perpetrators. Paying no heed to India’s actions will further weaken the fragile world order. The international community must collectively take notice to end such activities to uphold its moral commitments and maintain a just and balanced order.
—Written by: Syed Haris Shah
Email: raayesha@ndu.edu.pk
