NIA releases photos of 10 suspects accused of attacking Indian consulate in San Francisco

A group of pro-Khalistani men damaged the consulate on 19 March; it was again attacked on 2 July.

National Investigation Agency logo | Representational Image: ANI

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released the photographs of 10 men wanted in the vandalism of the Indian consulate in San Francisco in March.

The probe agency has sought information about these men from the public which would lead to their “arrest or apprehension”.

The Indian consulate in San Francisco was attacked twice in a matter of months, first on 19 March and then again on 2 July, drawing widespread condemnation from US legislators.

NIA seeks information on the accused wanted in the San Francisco Indian Consulate Attack case. (Source: @NIA_India) pic.twitter.com/FLatR2FHem

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 21, 2023

Thursday’s list of suspects were connected to the 19 March attack, when a group of pro-Khalistan protesters damaged the consulate and “tried to burn it down”. Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, they broke the makeshift security barriers and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed these flags.

A video of the 2 July attack had the words “Violence Begets Violence” emblazoned over it, and also showed news articles related to the death of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief and wanted terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was gunned down outside his Vancouver Sikh temple on 18 June.

The death of Nijjar is at the centre of a bitter diplomatic falling out between India and Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s charge linking Nijjar’s killing with Indian agents.

India has strongly rejected Trudeau’s statement made in the Canadian Parliament and said “allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated”.

Referring to the San Francisco arson in March, the NIA press release on Thursday said a team visited the city in August to probe the various charges against these men. They include criminal conspiracy, rioting, causing hurt, trespassing and damage to public property.