In the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested eight Khalistani terrorists across the country in a major crackdown on an international terror network. Among them is Pavittar Singh Batala, a Punjab-based gangster wanted by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) for terror activities linked to the banned group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).
In June, NIA had named Batala, along with Jatinder Joti and designated BKI terrorist Lakhbir Landa, in a chargesheet. The arrests followed a multi-agency investigation, with Special Weapons and Tactics teams detaining them. According to Indian intelligence, all suspects are part of a gangster-terror network. The FBI also seized firearms, ammunition, and cash during searches. Authorities said the group faces multiple felony charges, including kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, conspiracy, witness intimidation, and assault with a semiautomatic firearm, along with gang-related enhancements.