An Indian citizen in the United States on Tuesday pleaded guilty to planning attacks in India, including assassination of officials, reported Reuters. He also allegedly provided material support and resources to militants involved in the Khalistan movement.
Balwinder Singh, 42, from Nevada was detained and charged in December 2013. He faces a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Singh pleaded before the US District Judge Larry Hicks to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to “terrorists”, reported PTI. Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary McCord said, “Singh attempted to provide material support and resources to terrorists to create violence and disruption abroad.”
According to the court filed documents, Singh conspired with others to carry out militant attacks in India as part of a movement to create an independent Sikh state. Prosecutors said Signh’s co-conspirator had attempted to board a flight to Bangkok from San Francisco International Airport but was stopped by officials. Hence the plan was never executed.
Singh, a citizen of India, fled to the United States where he claimed asylum and eventually obtained a permanent resident card, reported CNN. He is also accused of false identity and obtaining false documents. He went by the aliases of ‘Jhaji’, ‘Happy’ and ‘Baljit Singh’.
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