Ex-intelligence officer charged in Gurpatwant Singh Pannun plot hails from Rewari

Vikash Yadav, a former intelligence officer charged by the US Department of Justice for allegedly plotting to assassinate pro-Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, hails from Pranpura village in Haryana’s Rewari district, said sources. Yadav, whose profile was circulated by the FBI on October 18, was reportedly an assistant commandant in the CRPF before joining the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) on deputation.

While CRPF officials were reluctant to discuss Yadav’s background, sources indicated that he was recruited by RAW due to his skills. A senior official, speaking anonymously, stated that intelligence agencies often track and hire individuals with exceptional skills for undercover operations.

Though several CRPF officials whom this newspaper spoke to, did not know much about Yadav and some even refrained to discuss about him, it is learnt that he had joined the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) quite early in his career, on deputation.

However, Yadav’s involvement in an extortion case, for which he was arrested in 2023, has tarnished his career. A former police official noted that such incidents can damage the reputation of the agencies that invest in training and grooming such personnel for sensitive operations.