Security agencies target fugitive criminals operating from american soil
India is set to hand over a list of 12 notorious gangsters based in the United States to Washington during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the country. The move, led by India’s security agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), aims to seek US cooperation in cracking down on organised crime networks with Indian links.
This will be PM Modi’s first official visit to the US since President Donald Trump returned to office, making it a critical diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
The list includes high-profile criminals such as Anmol Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, both of whom are linked to major organised crime syndicates in India. According to a report by The Indian Express, the Indian government has compiled detailed dossiers on these fugitives, outlining their criminal activities and legal status.
India’s renewed crackdown on overseas gangsters
For years, India’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been tracking fugitive criminals operating abroad. However, recent directives from the MHA have urged officials to intensify their focus on US-based gangsters and push for their extradition or deportation.
A senior government official involved in the matter told The Indian Express:
“Following the MHA’s directions, the list of 12 criminals was prepared, and their criminal dossiers were attached. Also included is a note on the efforts of Indian agencies to bring them back.”
Indian authorities are optimistic that collaboration with American law enforcement agencies will ensure the smooth exchange of intelligence and legal proceedings against these individuals.
Key gangsters on India’s watchlist
Among the most infamous criminals on the list is Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Anmol was arrested in the US in November 2023 while travelling with fake documents. He is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the murder conspiracy of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.
Another major figure on the list is Goldy Brar, who has been designated a terrorist under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Brar is accused of orchestrating the assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022.
Originally from Faridkot, Punjab, Brar moved to Canada on a student visa in 2017 before relocating to California, where he is believed to be operating from a safe house. His criminal network reportedly maintains links with Canadian-based Khalistani operatives.
Also included in the list is Darmanjot Singh Kahlon, a suspected arms supplier who allegedly played a key role in planning Moosewala’s murder. He is suspected of smuggling weapons, explosives, and heroin from Pakistan into India and has ties to Canada-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Lakhbir Singh Landa.
Another notorious name is Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Bal, a US-based operative of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. Indian agencies claim that Amrit Bal has been involved in setting up terror modules in Punjab in collaboration with Khalistani separatists.
Expanding criminal networks and security concerns
The remaining names in the dossier include:
- Harjot Singh
- Harbir Singh
- Navroop Singh
- Swaran Singh alias Fauji
- Sahil Kailash Ritoli
- Yogesh alias Bobby Beri
- Ashu alias Bhanu Pratap Sambhli
- Aman Sambhi
Indian intelligence reports indicate that many of these criminals maintain links with Pakistan-based smugglers. Their networks facilitate the trafficking of large quantities of narcotics from Pakistan to India, with operations coordinated through encrypted communication channels.
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Smuggling operations using advanced technology
In recent years, these criminal networks have exploited technology to evade law enforcement. They use VPNs to mask their locations and rely on secure messaging apps for covert communication.
Authorities have also flagged concerns over their use of drones for smuggling narcotics and weapons into India. These illicit shipments often enter Indian territory via sea routes, bypassing traditional border security measures.
India’s diplomatic push for extradition
Indian officials have strongly indicated that they will press the US administration to take swift action against these fugitives.
Given the strength of India-US diplomatic ties, security agencies are hopeful that Washington will cooperate in either extraditing or deporting these criminals.
Officials believe that the presence of such individuals on American soil poses a significant threat to India’s national security, as their operations fuel organised crime, drug smuggling, and targeted assassinations.
A final decision on the fate of these gangsters will likely emerge following diplomatic discussions during PM Modi’s visit. If successful, this move could mark a major milestone in India’s ongoing battle against transnational crime networks.
