In a major crackdown on gang-related violence, authorities in California’s San Joaquin County have arrested eight Indian-origin men — including a Khalistani terrorist wanted by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) — in connection with a kidnapping and torture case.
On July 11, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the FBI and multiple SWAT teams, executed five coordinated search warrants across the county as part of the ongoing gang investigation.
Among those arrested was Dilpreet Singh, a known Khalistani extremist, along with Arshpreet Singh, Amritpal Singh, Vishal, Pavittar Singh, Gurtaj Singh, Manpreet Randhawa, and Sarabjit Singh. All suspects have been booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on a range of felony charges, including kidnapping, torture, false imprisonment, gang conspiracy, witness intimidation, and assault with semiautomatic weapons.
Weapons-related charges were also filed for possession of a machine gun, assault rifle, high-capacity magazines, and a short-barreled rifle, in addition to carrying unregistered firearms.
The raids led to the seizure of:
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5 handguns (including a fully automatic Glock)
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1 assault rifle
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Hundreds of rounds of ammunition
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High-capacity magazines
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Over $15,000 in cash
This operation is part of the FBI’s “Summer Heat” initiative, aimed at dismantling violent criminal gangs and restoring safety in American neighborhoods. Officials hailed the coordinated effort as a significant blow to transnational gang operations.
The NIA in India has long sought Dilpreet Singh for his alleged involvement in pro-Khalistan activities and has yet to comment on a possible extradition request.