Law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada announced major charges against dozens of operatives linked to Indian criminal organizations during a coordinated enforcement action. The FBI and Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they dismantled leadership structures of criminal groups involved in murder-for-hire schemes, shootings, extortion, and drug trafficking activities spanning multiple continents.
The investigation, known as Operation Hard Ball, resulted in charges against 37 individuals, with authorities still pursuing seven fugitives in the US, two in India, and one in Europe. Among those charged was Lawrence Bishnoi, the imprisoned leader of an Indian criminal gang, who authorities allege orchestrated the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Canadian-based Sikh activist. Nijjar was shot outside a temple in Canada where he served as president. Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, was also charged in connection with the killing and remains a fugitive in the US. Bishnoi allegedly directed the operation using smuggled mobile phones and provided photos and addresses to facilitate the assassination.
The killing of Nijjar, described as a leading figure in the Khalistan movement seeking an independent Sikh homeland, triggered diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. Canadian officials previously suggested possible Indian government involvement, leading both countries to expel diplomats. India’s envoy denied any state-level interference. Reports indicated a consular employee in Vancouver may have provided information on Nijjar, with Canadian intelligence suggesting the individual was also an intelligence officer. In May 2025, four Indian nationals were separately charged with murder and conspiracy related to Nijjar’s case, which is proceeding through British Columbia courts.
As part of Operation Hard Ball, police seized approximately 1,000 kilograms of cocaine and a dozen firearms. The investigation also encompassed two additional criminal organizations with members across the US, New Zealand, Australia, Portugal, and the UK. Members face allegations including theft of drugs from rival organizations and trafficking controlled substances across North American borders. Canadian officials described the operation as significant for public safety, with law enforcement emphasizing efforts to dismantle criminal leadership structures and address violence affecting communities across multiple countries.
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