United States    01-Dec-2016

A Khalistan supporter, Balwinder Singh, an Indian citizen holding a green card has admitted in a federal court in the US that he conspired with terrorists to launch attacks in India to target a government official for assassination or maiming, according to officials. BalwinderSingh, made the admission before federal judge Larry R Hicks in Reno (Nevada state) that he provided a co-conspirator with night vision goggles for the planned attack, as a part of their terrorist conspiracy. Singh's conspiracy was part of a movement to create an independent Sikh state in Punjab, according to a statement by the prosecutors. "Singh attempted to provide material support and resources to terrorists to create violence and disruption abroad," said acting assistant attorney General Mary McCord. "Identifying, thwarting, and holding accountable individuals who pursue international terrorism is a top priority of the Department of Justice," she said. Prosecutors said conspirators were to decide on the government official to be targeted after one of them reached India. Singh's co-conspirators in the plot uncovered by US officials in 2013 were not identified.

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