8 Indian-Origin Men, Including NIA Most Wanted, Arrested In Gang Violence Case In US

Last Updated:July 13, 2025, 08:54 IST

Sources say the suspects had entered the US illegally and were allegedly involved in criminal activities both in America and in India.

Eight Indian-origin people, including a man wanted by the NIA, arrested in the US | Image: X

Eight Indian-origin people, including a man wanted by the Investigation Agency (NIA), have been arrested in the United States in connection with a gang-related kidnapping and torture investigation, officials confirmed on Sunday.

Among those taken into custody is Pavittar Singh Batala, a known gangster from Punjab who is reportedly associated with the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa (BKI). Batala is currently facing charges filed by the NIA for his alleged involvement in terror activities.

According to a statement from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office in California, multiple law enforcement teams, including the FBI SWAT, Stockton Police Department SWAT, and local sheriff’s offices, executed five coordinated search operations across San Joaquin County on July 11 as part of the probe.

The suspects arrested have been identified as Dilpreet Singh, Arshpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Vishal, Pavittar Singh, Gurtaj Singh, Manpreet Randhawa, and Sarabjit Singh. Indian intelligence agencies believe all eight are part of a wider gangster-terror nexus.

During the raids, authorities recovered five handguns—including a fully-automatic Glock—one assault rifle, large quantities of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and over $15,000 in cash.

The group faces several felony charges, including kidnapping, torture, conspiracy, false imprisonment, and witness intimidation. Additional firearms-related violations include possession of a machine gun, illegal assault weapon possession, manufacturing of high-capacity magazines, and possession of unregistered firearms.

“This takedown was part of the FBI’s Summer Heat initiative, a nationwide effort targeting violent offenders and gang members who terrorise our communities," the sheriff’s office said. “Summer Heat reflects Director Patel’s commitment to the American people to crush crime and restore safety in neighbourhoods across the country."

Sources say the suspects had entered the US illegally and were allegedly involved in criminal activities both in America and in India.

US-based Indian gangsters like Goldy Brar, Anmol Bishnoi, and Rohit Godara are also believed to be operating similarly, having used American soil to evade Indian law enforcement.

United States of America (USA)

News world 8 Indian-Origin Men, Including NIA Most Wanted, Arrested In Gang Violence Case In US