US Officials Release Photo of Indian Man Accused in Assassination Plot

Nikhil Gupta allegedly orchestrated a failed attempt on the life of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based Sikh separatist leader.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Drug Enforcement Administration in New York has released photos of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian man accused of being the key participant in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US citizen and NIA-designated terrorist. The assassination attempt was thwarted by US law enforcement.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between Indian authorities and Sikh separatist groups based in the US, as well as the ability of US law enforcement to disrupt alleged assassination plots against American citizens, even those with ties to overseas extremist organizations.

The details

According to authorities, Nikhil Gupta was a central figure in the failed plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist leader residing in New York. Pannun has been designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged ties to extremist Sikh groups.

  • The alleged assassination plot was uncovered and prevented by US law enforcement in early 2026.

The players

Nikhil Gupta

An Indian man accused of orchestrating a failed assassination plot against a US-based Sikh separatist leader.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

A US citizen and NIA-designated terrorist who is a leader of Sikh separatist groups based in the United States.

Drug Enforcement Administration

The US federal law enforcement agency that released the photos of Nikhil Gupta and uncovered the alleged assassination plot.

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What’s next

The case against Nikhil Gupta is ongoing, and US authorities are continuing to investigate the alleged assassination plot.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ability of US law enforcement to disrupt alleged terrorist plots against American citizens, even those with ties to overseas extremist organizations, and the ongoing tensions between Indian authorities and Sikh separatist groups based in the United States.