The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids on 14 locations in Punjab and Haryana as part of its ongoing investigation into the attacks on the Consulate General of India in San Francisco, USA. The raids were carried out in districts including Moga, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Mohali, and Patiala in Punjab, as well as Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar in Haryana.
The NIA’s crackdown resulted in the confiscation of digital data containing information related to the accused persons, along with other incriminating documents. The objective of the operation is to uncover the complete conspiracy behind the attacks that occurred on March 19, 2023, and July 2, 2023. These attacks involved criminal trespass, vandalism, damage to public property, and attempts to cause harm to officials of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, including an attempt to set the Consulate building on fire through acts of arson.
The NIA, which has been rigorously investigating the case, aims to identify and prosecute the attackers and assailants involved in the attacks, sending a strong message to anti-Indian elements. In August 2023, an NIA team visited San Francisco to probe the incidents of violent arson and vandalism, which created fear among Consulate staff and the community.
As part of its comprehensive investigations, the NIA disclosed that it has crowd-sourced information to identify and collect data about US-based entities and individuals linked to these violent incidents. The agency has already identified several individuals involved in the conspiracy, including both Indian and foreign nationals who were part of the attacks and their associates.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco witnessed a series of attacks, with a group of assailants committing criminal trespass, damaging public property, and attacking consulate officials on March 19. Earlier on the same day, some attackers attempted to set the Consulate building on fire by using inflammable substances. Subsequently, on July 2 at midnight, another attempt was made to set the Consulate building ablaze.
The NIA’s raids mark a significant step in uncovering the perpetrators behind these incidents and ensuring accountability for the attacks on Indian diplomatic premises in the United States.
