Latest news with #PavittarSinghBatala
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Most-wanted fugitive among 8 Khalistani terrorists in FBI net
In a coordinated operation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alongside multiple SWAT teams, arrested eight individuals connected to the Khalistani terrorist network in the US on Saturday. Among those apprehended is the most-wanted Indian fugitive and a key member of the banned terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) Pavittar Singh Batala. The sheriff's office also shared a video of the arrests and identified Pavittar Singh Batala as the primary suspect. Batala, who is wanted in India by the NIA for carrying out terror activities, was involved in a series of criminal cases, including extortion, arms smuggling and murder in Punjab. Those arrested have been identified as Dilpreet Singh, Arshpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Vishal, Pavittar Singh Batala, Gurtaj Singh, Manpreet Randhawa, Sarabjit Singh, said San Joaquin County Sheriff's office in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The sheriff's office also shared a video of the arrests and identified Pavittar Singh Batala as the primary suspect. Batala, who is wanted in India by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for carrying out terror activities, was involved in a series of criminal cases, including extortion, arms smuggling and murder in Punjab. Police had issued a red corner notice against him about six months ago. He is wanted in six cases registered in Amritsar police district and two in Batala police district. Batala was working along with Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode. The arrests stem from an ongoing investigation into a gang-related kidnapping and torture case. The operation, which took place on July 11, involved five search warrants executed across San Joaquin County. The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the Stockton Police Department SWAT, Manteca Police Department SWAT, Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office SWAT, and the FBI SWAT Team, seized several illegal weapons during the raids, including five handguns (one a fully-automatic Glock), an assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and over $15,000 (around ₹13 lakh) in cash. The arrested individuals are facing a range of serious charges, including kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, criminal conspiracy and violations under the Gang Act, according to media reports. Additional charges include the illegal possession of a machine gun, assault weapon and high-capacity magazines. These charges are linked to their role in a violent gang-terror network operating across the US and in India. The operation was part of the FBI's Summer Heat initiative, aimed at tackling violent offenders and gang members across the country. The arrested men are believed to have entered the US illegally and operated criminal enterprises in both the US and India. Indian intelligence agencies have linked the group to ongoing terror activities in Punjab, including the BKI, which has been involved in multiple violent incidents and terror operations across India.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
India's ‘most wanted' among 8 Khalistani ultras arrested in US
Washington: Pavittar Singh Batala, a gangster from Punjab who is on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was arrested along with seven other Khalistani terrorists by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States in a gang-related kidnapping case. Batala is reportedly associated with the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in terror activities. The arrests were made on Friday from different parts of the US in a case related to kidnapping and torture in San Joaquin County, according to the sheriff's office. "On July 11, 2025, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office AGNET Unit-alongside the Stockton Police Department SWAT Team, Manteca Police Department SWAT Team, Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team, and the FBI SWAT Team-executed five coordinated search warrants across San Joaquin County as part of a gang-related kidnapping and torture investigation," the sheriff's office said on Saturday. Apart from Batala, other suspects were identified as Dilpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Arshpreet Singh, Manpreet Randhawa, Sarabjit Singh, Gurtaj Singh, and a man identified only as Vishal, who did not provide a last name.
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
India's "Most Wanted" Among 8 Khalistani Terrorists Arrested By FBI
Washington: Pavittar Singh Batala, a gangster from Punjab who is on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was arrested along with seven other Khalistani terrorists by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States in a gang-related kidnapping case. Batala is reportedly associated with the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in terror activities. The arrests were made on Friday from different parts of the US in a case related to kidnapping and torture in San Joaquin County, according to the sheriff's office. "On July 11, 2025, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office AGNET Unit-alongside the Stockton Police Department SWAT Team, Manteca Police Department SWAT Team, Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team, and the FBI SWAT Team-executed five coordinated search warrants across San Joaquin County as part of a gang-related kidnapping and torture investigation," the sheriff's office said on Saturday. Apart from Batala, other suspects were identified as Dilpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Arshpreet Singh, Manpreet Randhawa, Sarabjit Singh, Gurtaj Singh, and a man identified only as Vishal, who did not provide a last name. All the accused were booked on multiple charges, including kidnapping, torture, wrongful confinement, intimidating or threatening a witness, assault with a semiautomatic firearm and making criminal threats and were sent to the San Joaquin County Jail. They were also charged with possession of a machine gun and an unregistered loaded handgun, along with manufacturing and selling high-capacity magazines and a short-barrel rifle. During the searches, officials reportedly seized at least six guns - including a fully automatic Glock - hundreds of rounds of ammunition, several high-capacity magazines and over $15,000 in cash. The takedown was part of the FBI's Summer Heat initiative, a nationwide effort targeting violent offenders and gang members who terrorise US communities, according to the sheriff's office. "Summer Heat reflects Director (Kash) Patel's commitment to the American people to crush crime and restore safety in neighbourhoods across the country," the police said in a social media post. In recent years, several terrorists and gangsters from India -- including Goldy Brar, Anmol Bishnoi, and Rohit Godara-- have made the US and Canada their new hideout to escape legal actions back home. These notorious elements enter these North American nations illegally and continue their criminal activities in India and abroad from there.
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First Post
4 days ago
- First Post
Khalistani terrorist among 8 men arrested in California over gang-related kidnapping and torture case
NIA's wanted terrorist Pavittar Singh Batala, who is allegedly part of the terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), was among 8 men arrested in California on Friday. The men were arrested on charges of kidnapping and torture. read more Eight Indian-origin men, including a Khalistani terrorist wanted by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), have been arrested by California's San Joaquin County Sheriff in connection with a gang-related kidnapping and torture case. In a statement, the county sheriff's Office mentioned that five search warrants were executed, leading to eight arrests. As per the statement, the authorities found five handguns, an assault rifle, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. They also found more than $15,000 in cash and high-capacity magazines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 🚨Eight Arrested in Gang-Related Kidnapping Case🚨 On July 11, 2025, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office AGNET Unit—alongside the Stockton Police Department SWAT Team, Manteca Police Department SWAT Team, Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team, and the FBI SWAT… — San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office (@SJSheriff) July 12, 2025 'On July 11, 2025, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office AGNET Unit—alongside the Stockton Police Department SWAT Team, Manteca Police Department SWAT Team, Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team, and the FBI SWAT Team—executed five coordinated search warrants across San Joaquin County as part of a gang-related kidnapping and torture investigation,' the American authorities said in a statement on Saturday. Who are they? The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office identified the primary suspect as Pavittar Singh Batala, but no other information was provided. The names of other people who were arrested in the case are as follows: Dilpreet Singh Arshpreet Singh Amritpal Singh Vishal Gurtaj Singh Manpreet Randhawa Sarabjit Singh It is pertinent to note that Pavittar Singh Batala is a gangster from Punjab, who is allegedly linked to a banned terror group named Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). He is currently facing terror-related charges by India's NIA. In the statement, it is mentioned that the Sheriff's AGNET unit collaborated with SWAT teams from the Stockton and Manteca Police Departments, Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI to carry out the operation. The eight suspects were booked into jail on the following charges: • Kidnapping • Torture • False Imprisonment • Conspiracy to Commit a Crime • Preventing/Dissuading a Witness • Assault with a Semiautomatic Firearm • Threats to Terrorise • Felony Gang Enhancement Sources close to the matter told The Times of India that Indian agencies are in touch with their American counterpart to extradite Batala. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
BKI-linked Batala among 8 Indian-origin men arrested in FBI crackdown on gang violence; assault rifle, hundreds of bullets and magazines seized
Representative image NEW DELHI/JALANDHAR: The FBI has arrested Pavittar Singh Batala, a most-wanted fugitive from India, in California as part of its operation against organised crime. Batala, who is linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), had an Interpol Red Corner Notice against him. He was arrested, along with seven others. A cache of arms and ammunition was also seized from them. In June, the NIA named Batala, along with Jatinder Joti and designated BKI terrorist Lakhbir Landa, in a chargesheet. Joti was allegedly involved in illegal procurement and supply of firearms to Punjab-based gangsters. He was facilitating weapons supply to ground operatives of Batala, a close associate of Landa, agency said. The accused allegedly used virtual numbers and encrypted applications while promoting pro-Khalistan network in state, probe had revealed. The module works on instructions of ISI-linked Rinda Sandhu, officials said. Indian agencies are in touch with their US counterparts to extradite Batala, sources said. San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said its AGNET Unit - along with SWAT teams from FBI, Stockton police, Manteca police and Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office - executed five coordinated search warrants across county. Those arrested include Batala, said to be the prime suspect, Dilpreet Singh, Arshpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Vishal, Gurtaj Singh, Manpreet Randhawa and Sarabjit Singh. Each has been booked into San Joaquin County Jail on various felony charges, including kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, conspiracy to commit crime, preventing/dissuading witness, assault with semiautomatic firearm, and threats to terrorize. Sheriff's office released video of the suspects, and arms and ammunition seized from them - five handguns (including a fully automatic Glock), assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and over $15,000 in cash. New Delhi/Jalandhar: FBI has arrested Pavittar Singh Batala, a most-wanted fugitive from India, in California as part of its operation against organized crime. Batala, who is linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), had an Interpol Red Corner Notice against him. He was arrested, along with seven others and a cache of arms and ammunition seized from them. In June, NIA named Batala, along with Jatinder Joti and designated BKI terrorist Lakhbir Landa, in a chargesheet. Joti was allegedly involved in illegal procurement and supply of firearms to Punjab-based gangsters. He was facilitating weapons supply to ground operatives of Batala, a close associate of designated individual terrorist Landa, agency said. The accused allegedly use virtual numbers and encrypted applications while promoting pro-Khalistan network in state, probe had revealed. The module works on instructions of ISI-linked Rinda Sandhu, officials said. Indian agencies are in touch with their US counterparts to extradite Batala, sources said. San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said its AGNET Unit - along with SWAT teams from FBI, Stockton police, Manteca police and Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office - executed five coordinated search warrants across county. Those arrested include Batala, said to be the prime suspect, Dilpreet Singh, Arshpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Vishal, Gurtaj Singh, Manpreet Randhawa and Sarabjit Singh. Each has been booked into San Joaquin County Jail on various felony charges, including kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, conspiracy to commit crime, preventing/dissuading witness, assault with semiautomatic firearm, and threats to terrorize. Sheriff's office released video of the suspects, and arms and ammunition seized from them - five handguns (including a fully automatic Glock), assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and over $15,000 in cash. Weapons-related charges included possession of machine gun, illegal possession of assault weapon, manufacture/sale of high-capacity magazines, manufacturing short-barrelled rifle, and carrying loaded, unregistered handgun. "This takedown was part of FBI's Summer Heat initiative, a nationwide effort targeting violent offenders and gang members who terrorize our communities. Summer Heat reflects director (Kash) Patel's commitment to American people to crush crime and restore safety in neighbourhoods across country," sheriff's office said.
