In a big crackdown, the FBI arrested Punjab gangster and top wanted Khalistani terrorist on the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) list, Pavittar Singh Batala, and seven of his associates, in the United States. They were arrested on charges of a gang-related kidnapping and torture incident in San Joaquin County, California.
Batala is purportedly linked to the prohibited terror organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and has been wanted in India for years for his involvement in numerous terror operations. His arrest represents a notable milestone in cross-border cooperation in law enforcement.
FBI Carries Out Multi-Agency Raids Throughout San Joaquin County
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office states that the coordinated effort was conducted on July 11, 2025, through collaboration with various law enforcement authorities.
On July 11, 2025, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office AGNET Unit — with the assistance of the Stockton Police Department SWAT Team, Manteca Police Department SWAT Team, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, and the FBI SWAT Team — served five simultaneous search warrants throughout San Joaquin County in conjunction with a gang-related kidnapping and torture investigation,” the sheriff’s office said.
List of Accused and Charges Filed
The following persons were arrested:
· Dilpreet Singh
· Amritpal Singh
· Arshpreet Singh
· Manpreet Randhawa
· Sarabjit Singh
· Gurtaj Singh
· Vishal (last name not given)
The group is accused of kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, assault with a semiautomatic rifle, witness intimidation, and criminal threats.
Weapons, Cash Seized In Raids
The official also confiscated:
· Six guns, including one fully automatic Glock
· Hundreds of rounds of ammunition
· High-capacity magazines
· More than $15,000 in cash
They were also charged with possession of a machine gun, an unregistered handgun, and illegal firearm manufacturing.
Part of the FBI’s Nationwide ‘Summer Heat’ Anti-Gang Crackdown
The arrests fall under the FBI’s Summer Heat initiative, which targets violent gang members and criminal elements threatening public safety.
“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 stated.
Indian fugitives such as Goldy Brar, Anmol Bishnoi, and Rohit Godara have sought shelter in the US and Canada in recent years, continuing to operate from overseas while escaping Indian law enforcement.
