New Delhi, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India on Thursday expressed deep concern over reports of an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting targeting a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, in the United States, and called on American authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the reported anti-Hindu and racist nature of the alleged plot, including references to violence against people of Indian origin, was particularly disturbing.
“We are deeply concerned by reports of an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting targeting a Hindu temple in the Aurora area of Illinois. The reported anti-Hindu and racist nature of the alleged plot, including references to violence against people of Indian origin, is particularly disturbing,” the MEA said in a statement responding to media queries about the incident.
The ministry said it had taken note of the action initiated by US law enforcement authorities, including the arrest and detention of the suspect and the charges filed against him.
“This incident adds to growing concerns over racist hostility and anti-India hate in the US. There is a need for greater vigilance, zero tolerance for hate-motivated violence, and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of the Indian community. We expect US authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter, bring those responsible to justice, and take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents,” the statement added.
The MEA’s response followed reports that an alleged attempt to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora was thwarted after the suspect’s rifle reportedly jammed. Authorities arrested the suspect after receiving information from a co-worker.
The 19-year-old suspect, identified as Paporakis in the case details, reportedly described himself as a “white supremacist Neo Nazi” and expressed hatred towards Indians and Hindus in a written document. He appeared in court on Wednesday, local time, and was charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons.
According to authorities, Paporakis told a co-worker that he had gone to a Hindu temple in Aurora, around 70 kilometres from Chicago, on Saturday and attempted to open fire, but the rifle failed to fire when he pulled the trigger.
He was arrested outside his home in Palatine, approximately 60 kilometres from Chicago, on Sunday after the co-worker alerted the police. The co-worker, who has not been identified, contacted authorities in Mount Prospect, who passed the information to Palatine police.
During a call with the co-worker, prosecutors said, Paporakis admitted attempting the shooting. He also reportedly sent the co-worker a photograph of himself wearing a tactical vest and an eight-page document titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)”.
Court documents described the manifesto as containing racist statements against people of Indian descent and a Hindu temple. According to prosecutors, the suspect wrote that he intended to die after killing as many minorities as possible.
Paporakis was produced before a county court in Rolling Meadows, where a judge remanded him to custody until October 30, the date of his next scheduled court appearance.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord said a search of the suspect’s home uncovered a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and body armour. Police said the body armour carried designs associated with white supremacist extremism.
Prosecutors alleged that Paporakis had been planning the attack for two years and had described himself in his writings as a “sociopathic white supremacist Neo Nazi filled with hatred”.
“Reading through the manifesto, he did state some extremist ideologies and talked about violence; he talked about mass killings and how he wanted to carry out this mass shooting,” Nord said.
Police said they worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to access the suspect’s electronic devices and communications.
Officials also said the suspect’s writings expressed hatred towards Jewish people and non-white communities, including African Americans.
According to prosecutors, Paporakis may have mental health issues. His co-worker told police that he had behaved in a manic manner over the weekend.
Police said the suspect lived with his mother, who had been unable to prevent him from purchasing a weapon.
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