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Global operation against Lawrence Bishnoi gang leads to 24 arrests across US, Canada and Europe

A US-led international law enforcement operation has resulted in 24 arrests and multiple indictments targeting the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and other transnational organised crime networks accused of murder, drug trafficking and extortion.

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A major international law enforcement operation has led to the arrest of 24 people allegedly linked to transnational organised crime networks, including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The coordinated action, called Operation Hard Ball, was carried out across the United States, Canada and Europe following a multi-year investigation into organised criminal activities such as murder, drug trafficking, extortion and cross-border violence.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced the operation, describing it as one of the largest coordinated actions against international criminal syndicates operating across multiple countries.

Arrests made across multiple countries

According to investigators, federal prosecutors have filed three separate indictments against a total of 37 defendants.

Among the 24 people arrested, 13 were taken into custody in the United States, including 11 in California, one in Indiana and one in Georgia. Authorities also arrested three suspects in Canada and one in Spain, while seven defendants were already in custody before the coordinated enforcement action.

Officials said another 10 suspects remain at large and are believed to be located in the United States, India and parts of Europe.

During the operation, investigators seized around one metric tonne of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, nearly $40,000 in cash and 12 firearms. Search warrants were executed at dozens of locations, including properties in the Sacramento and Los Angeles regions.

Lawrence Bishnoi among key figures named in indictment

One of the indictments centres on alleged gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged in prison in India.

According to US federal prosecutors, Bishnoi allegedly managed an international criminal network from prison by using contraband mobile phones and encrypted communication devices.

The indictment alleges that the network was involved in political assassinations, murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug trafficking and human smuggling. Prosecutors further claim that the organisation projected a public image linked to nationalism and religion while secretly running a large criminal enterprise.

Among the allegations is the claimed role of the Bishnoi network in the June 18, 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia.

Prosecutors allege Bishnoi and his alleged associate Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, ordered the killing. Canadian authorities designated the Bishnoi organisation as a terrorist entity in 2025.

Extortion and international drug trafficking allegations

Investigators allege the Bishnoi organisation used encrypted messaging platforms, social media and public claims of responsibility for violent incidents to intimidate members of the Indian diaspora.

The group has also been accused of running extortion operations targeting victims in California, with alleged demands worth millions of dollars backed by threats of violence.

Authorities further claim the organisation financed its activities through international cocaine trafficking and by stealing drug shipments from rival criminal groups. According to investigators, the network was linked to the theft of more than 520 kilograms of cocaine in the Los Angeles area between 2024 and 2025.

Two other criminal networks also charged

A second indictment targets the Bhagwanpuria criminal syndicate, allegedly founded by imprisoned gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

Federal prosecutors allege the network grew into an international organisation with more than 1,000 members and associates across India, the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The organisation allegedly engaged in contract killings, drug trafficking, kidnapping, illegal firearms dealing and extortion. Prosecutors also claim the syndicate influenced law enforcement officials in India and used false criminal complaints to intimidate rivals.

A third indictment focuses on an alleged drug trafficking network led by Vancouver-based Ravinder Singh Dhanda.

Investigators claim the organisation smuggled hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine every week from Southern California into Canada using commercial trucks, sometimes concealing narcotics inside agricultural vehicles. Authorities linked the network to the transportation of more than 430 kilograms of cocaine between 2023 and 2024.

International agencies highlight coordinated effort

Officials from multiple agencies described Operation Hard Ball as a significant example of international cooperation against organised crime.

The investigation involved the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, US Customs and Border Protection, Spain’s Guardia Civil and several other international law enforcement agencies.

Authorities stressed that the indictments contain allegations only, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, several of those charged could face mandatory federal prison terms ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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