US charges Bishnoi gang in Nijjar killing as FBI global op leads to 24 arrests

A federal indictment unsealed in the US says jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his aide Goldy Brar ordered the June 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, triggering a diplomatic rift after then Canadian Prime Minister linked the murder to the Indian government, a claim New Delhi rejected as "absurd and motivated."

In Short

• US charges Lawrence Bishnoi and aide Goldy Brar for Nijjar's killing in Canada
• 24 Bishnoi associates arrested as part of FBI's Operation Hard Ball
• FBI-led operation spans US, Canada, Europe and Spain

The United States has charged jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close aide Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar with ordering the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, as part of a sweeping FBI-led international crackdown on three transnational organised crime networks that led to 24 arrests across North America and Europe.

The charges were announced under "Operation Hard Ball", a years-long investigation targeting criminal syndicates allegedly involved in murder, extortion, drug trafficking, weapons offences and other organised crime activities across multiple countries.

According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), authorities executed more than 50 search warrants and arrested suspects in California, Indiana, Georgia, Canada and Spain.

Announcing the coordinated enforcement action, the DOJ said 37 defendants have been charged across three separate federal indictments involving three organised crime groups with links to India. Of them, 24 have been arrested, while 10 remain fugitives.

LAWRENCE BISHNOI INDICTED IN US

One of the three federal indictments focuses on jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, whom US prosecutors accuse of directing a global criminal enterprise from prison in India.

According to court documents, Bishnoi and Brar ordered the assassination of Nijjar, identified in the indictment as "HSN", outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

The killing sparked a major diplomatic row after then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged links between Indian government agents and the murder, a claim New Delhi dismissed as "absurd and motivated".

According to the indictment, Bishnoi used contraband mobile phones and internet-based communication devices to oversee alleged political assassinations, murders, extortion, kidnappings, drug trafficking, human smuggling and other criminal activities across multiple countries.

Prosecutors also named alleged key associates Goldy Brar, identified as the syndicate's North American leader, and Rohit Godara, who allegedly oversaw operations in Europe. According to the indictment, both men helped coordinate the gang's activities outside India.

US prosecutors allege the organisation used violence to intimidate victims, particularly within Indian diaspora communities, while promoting its criminal reputation through social media and online posts to strengthen its influence.

The DOJ also alleges the Bishnoi enterprise financed its operations through international cocaine trafficking and extortion.

According to prosecutors, gang members threatened victims through encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, demanding millions of dollars while warning of violence against victims and their families.

Investigators also allege the syndicate stole cocaine shipments from rival trafficking groups and coordinated narcotics smuggling between the United States and Canada.

TWO OTHER CRIME SYNDICATES ALSO CHARGED

The second federal indictment targets the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria organisation, which prosecutors describe as another India-based criminal syndicate with operations extending into the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

According to the indictment, the organisation engaged in murder-for-hire, kidnappings, extortion, weapons trafficking and international drug smuggling while allegedly using corrupt officials in India to target rivals and facilitate criminal activities.

A third federal indictment centres on an alleged Canada-based drug trafficking network headed by Ravinder Singh Dhanda, 57, also known as "Randy", "Rolex" and "John Wick", of Vancouver.

According to prosecutors, Dhanda, along with Jaskarn Baghri, 50, alias "Baba", of Surrey, British Columbia, Gurtej Singh Smagh, 43, alias "Simba", of Creston, British Columbia, and eight other defendants, were charged in an eight-count indictment returned on June 23.

US authorities alleged that the network transported, smuggled and distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine every week from the United States into Canada using long-haul transport routes and concealed shipments.

Investigators also executed dozens of search warrants, including 23 in the Sacramento area and 11 in Los Angeles, as part of the sweeping crackdown.

The operation led to the seizure of nearly 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, 12 firearms and $40,000 in cash, according to the DOJ.

US officials described the action as one of the most significant international operations targeting organised crime groups operating across North America.

"Transnational criminal gangs who spread fear, drugs, and violence will face the full force of justice and the weight of the federal government," First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said.

FBI officials said the operation struck at the core of violent criminal organisations operating across several countries.

"Today’s coordinated operation strikes at the heart of three brutal transnational organisations that have terrorised families, exploited communities, and stolen lives through ruthless acts of violence in the US and abroad," said Patrick Grandy, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office.

The sweeping investigation was carried out jointly by the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, US Customs and Border Protection, and multiple law enforcement agencies across North America and Europe.

CANADA WELCOMES CRACKDOWN

Canada's national police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), said the coordinated operation marked a major step in dismantling three transnational organised crime networks led by Lawrence Bishnoi, Ravinder Dhanda and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

In a statement, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said it had played a key role in the years-long investigation, working closely with the FBI and other international partners to identify and disrupt the criminal networks.

The RCMP said it remains committed to identifying, investigating and dismantling organised crime groups that pose a significant threat to public safety in Canada, adding that cooperation with international law enforcement agencies will continue as the investigation moves forward.

The crackdown was also welcomed by Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, who described the arrests as an important step in tackling the extortion crisis affecting Surrey and other Canadian cities.

In a statement, Locke thanked law enforcement agencies in Canada, the United States and other countries for coordinating efforts against transnational organised crime networks and bringing those responsible to justice.

She said the arrests reinforced concerns long expressed by local authorities that extortion cases targeting businesses were being driven by sophisticated organised crime groups operating across borders.

While calling the operation encouraging, Locke stressed that more work remained to protect businesses, families and neighbourhoods from intimidation and violence.

"Public safety remains Surrey's top priority," Locke said, adding that the city would continue working with governments and law enforcement agencies to ensure intimidation, extortion and organised crime are not tolerated.

The arrests come amid growing concern in Canada over extortion threats targeting South Asian business owners, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. Authorities have repeatedly linked several such cases to organised crime groups operating across international borders. Surrey, where Nijjar was killed in June 2023, has been among the cities most affected by extortion complaints in recent years.

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