San Joaquin County, California – July 12, 2025
In a major breakthrough in transnational crime enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in collaboration with multiple California-based SWAT teams, arrested eight individuals associated with Khalistani extremist networks in a gang-related kidnapping and torture case. The operation was conducted across five coordinated search locations in San Joaquin County.
Key Arrest: Pavittar Singh Batala
Among those apprehended was Pavittar Singh Batala, a notorious gangster from Punjab, wanted by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged involvement with the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). His arrest marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to crack down on Khalistani-linked terror and gang activities abroad.
List of Accused
Dilpreet Singh
Arshpreet Singh
Amritpal Singh
Vishal (no surname disclosed)
Pavittar Singh Batala
Gurtaj Singh
Manpreet Randhawa
Sarabjit Singh
Operation Details
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office AGNET Unit, working with:
Stockton Police Department SWAT
Manteca Police Department SWAT
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office SWAT
FBI SWAT Team
executed the search and arrest warrants on July 11, 2025, as part of a gang-related kidnapping investigation. The group is believed to be part of a larger criminal-terror nexus operating across the U.S.
Weapons & Cash Seized
Authorities recovered a significant stockpile during the raids, including:
5 handguns (1 fully-automatic Glock)
1 assault rifle
Hundreds of rounds of ammunition
High-capacity magazines
Over $15,000 in cash
Felony Charges Filed
The eight accused face numerous felony charges:
Kidnapping
Torture
False imprisonment
Conspiracy to commit a crime
Preventing/dissuading a witness
Assault with a semiautomatic firearm
Terror threats
Felony gang enhancement
Additional charges include:
Possession of a machine gun
Illegal possession of an assault weapon
Manufacture/sale of high-capacity magazines
Manufacture of a short-barreled rifle
Carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm
Strategic Initiative
This multi-agency operation was conducted under the FBI’s “Summer Heat Initiative”, a nationwide crackdown on violent offenders, gang members, and extremist elements.
India-US Cooperation Intensifies
The arrest of Pavittar Singh Batala—wanted by India’s NIA—signals heightened collaboration between US and Indian agencies to monitor, track, and apprehend fugitive Khalistani operatives using U.S. soil as a base for criminal or terrorist activities.
Impact and Implications
Marks a major blow to Khalistani-linked networks abroad.
Reinforces U.S. commitment to dismantling gang-terror alliances.
Strengthens ongoing counter-terror collaboration between Washington and New Delhi.
