In yet another attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco, USA, it was set on fire on July 2.
Earlier, the consulate was vandalised by Khalistani supporters in March when the Punjab police had launched a massive crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his aides.
A group of Khalistan radicals allegedly attempted arson at the consulate. However, no major damage was reported from the fire as the San Francisco Fire Department was quick to suppress it. None of the staff members suffered any injuries due to the quick action by fire department.
A video of Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 posted a Twitter, showed the act of arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco. The video mentioned the words ‘violence begets violence’ and also showed news articles related to the death of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar, one of the India’s most wanted terrorist who carried a cash reward of Rs 1 million on his head, was shot dead outside a gurudwara in Canada last month.
Reacting to the attempted arson, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “The US strongly condemn the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.” He added that any violence against a diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offence.
The U.S. strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the U.S. is a criminal offense.
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) July 3, 2023