On April 14 in Lahore, Pakistan, two individuals visited Amir Sarfaraz’s home in Islampura district and fatally shot him when he answered the door. Sarfaraz succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, with speculations abound. Those privy to the truth, such as intelligence personnel, typically remain tight-lipped.
Recently, the London-based Guardian published an exclusive report revealing the Indian government’s alleged strategy of conducting targeted assassinations abroad against individuals deemed “hostile to India.” These assassinations have extended as far as Canada, as reported by Asia Sentinel on September 22, 2023. Subsequently, news emerged from India of the assassination of a prominent underworld figure in Pakistan, accused by Indian authorities of murdering an Indian national in a Pakistani prison back in 2013. The potential connections are intriguing.
In the case of Amir Sarfaraz, a reputed drug lord and mafia leader known for his involvement in real estate transactions, Indian intelligence sources implicated him in the killing of Sarabjeet Singh, an Indian citizen, in 2013. Sarabjeet had been labeled an Indian spy by Pakistani authorities, allegedly orchestrating bomb blasts in Punjab province in 1990 resulting in 14 fatalities. Sarabjeet was serving a life sentence in a Pakistani jail when he was killed during a prison altercation, with Amir Sarfaraz, believed to be a key figure in the terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba, implicated in his death.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence surrounding Sarfaraz’s demise, it is likely that the Modi government will be credited for his death, given their emphasis on safeguarding Indian citizens from perceived threats.
In a previous era, such vengeful acts would be condemned as retaliation, echoing Mahatma Gandhi’s admonition against the cycle of violence. However, in Modi’s India, a burgeoning middle class prefers to assert its strength, drawing parallels with Israel’s aggressive stance as a model to emulate.
The alignment of events is too conspicuous to overlook. The day after the Guardian’s exposé, India’s defense minister Rajnath Singh vowed retaliation against terrorist attacks on India, even if it meant pursuing perpetrators into Pakistan to eliminate them.
The Hindi phrase “Ghus ke marenge” encapsulates this sentiment of crossing borders to confront adversaries, particularly resonant amidst the impending general elections and the Hindi-speaking populace dominating parliamentary representation.
Amidst global turmoil characterized by unwarranted invasions and disproportionate retribution, India’s targeted assassinations of Pakistani individuals deemed hostile are unlikely to elicit significant international repercussions.
The longstanding India-Pakistan rivalry has been marred by Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, leading to diplomatic impasse under the Modi administration. Modi’s proactive approach to national security contrasts starkly with his predecessors’ perceived passivity in addressing terrorism.
Modi’s firm stance against terrorism, exemplified by military incursions and retaliatory strikes, has garnered popular support, positioning him favorably ahead of the upcoming elections.
The Guardian’s report on targeted assassinations inside Pakistan, followed by statements from Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Modi echoing similar sentiments, are primarily tailored for domestic consumption.
As Modi leads the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into the elections, this assertive rhetoric is instrumental in bolstering the party’s electoral prospects.
While the Guardian highlighted “targeted assassinations” in Pakistan, India’s relations with Canada deteriorated following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation of Indian involvement in the killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Modi’s government refuted Trudeau’s claims but faced accusations from the US of plotting the assassination of Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, resulting in a diplomatic standoff.
Amidst the geopolitical complexities, India’s strategic maneuvers, including alleged targeted assassinations, serve as a potent tool in projecting strength and securing domestic support.
Jyoti Malhotra is the founder-editor of AwaazSouthAsia and a regular contributor to Asia Sentinel. Follow her on Twitter
