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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
‘Animals with no regard for life': 8 Indian-origin men held in US for kidnapping, torture, extortion; FBI links gang to murders in India
Authorities in California and the FBI are investigating eight Indian-origin suspects arrested in San Joaquin County for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a man as part of an international extortion scheme. The gang, led by Pavittar Singh, wanted in India for multiple murders, targeted Indian-Americans. JALANDHAR: Investigating the eight Indian-origin suspects arrested in San Joaquin County, California, on July 11, county authorities and FBI said the international Punjabi street gang kidnapped a local man, stripped him naked, and tortured him for hours as part of a brutal extortion racket that stretches from California'to murder plots in India. The authorities have urged Indian-Americas to report such extortion threats. Addressing a joint press conference, they revealed the gang leader, Pavittar Singh, was also wanted in India for multiple murders and firearms offences, including a killing in Batala, Punjab. FBI also cited earlier US arrests of Indian gang leaders: Gurdev 'Jassal' Singh (RPG attacks), Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia, Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol , linked to the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, and others. 8 Indian-origin suspects face life in jail without bail Eight suspects, led by Pavittar, now face charges of kidnapping for ransom, torture and illegal weapons that carry life sentences. A multi-agency SWAT sweep on July 11 had netted machine guns, an assault rifle, and $15,000 cash stashed in a ceiling vent. Sheriff Patrick Withrow said they were tipped off on June 21 about a horrendous crime that occurred on June 19 in the Manteca area. They contacted the victim and, on July 11, their AGNET Unit — alongside SWAT teams from FBI, Stockton police, Manteca police and Stanislaus County sheriff's office — executed five coordinated search warrants across the county and arrested the suspects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Withrow said the purpose of the torture was to extract names of other potential extortion targets in the Indian-American business community. Elaborating on the federal and international angle, Sid Patel from FBISacramento field office said Pavittar was wanted in India for firearm violations, assault and multiple murders abroad. He revealed six of the eight suspects were picked up by ICE ERO for immigration proceedings, and FBI was coordinating with India and Canada on extradition after US sentences. San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas told the press conference that they filed two complaints charging the eight men with serious gang-related crimes, including kidnapping, torture, extortion, witness intimidation, and multiple weapon violations. They said the suspects faced life in prison, with no bail and no exceptions. Apart from Pavitar, other members of the gang included Dilpreet Singh, Sarbjit Singh, Gurtaj Singh, Amritpall Singh, Vishal Singh, Arshpreet Singh, and Manpreet Randhawa. According to the sheriff and FBI, the gang operations included extortion of Indian-American business owners, forced free labour, violent truck cargo hijackings along Central Valley, weapons and drug trafficking, and international political violence (RPG attacks, assassinations, grenade assaults on police stations in India). Each of the accused faces a life-in-prison baseline for kidnapping for ransom, along with firearm and gang enhancements that could push to life without parole. The sheriff even said, "Suspects are animals with little or no regard for human life." Announcing the setting up of an anonymous tip line specifically for this case, the sheriff urged Indian-American residents to report extortion and intimidation attempts. "Help us hunt the rest of this gang — call us."
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Stop supporting terror or face annihilation: PM Modi to Pakistan
JALANDHAR: Prime Minister on Tuesday sharpened India's new anti-terror doctrine, saying Pakistan had the choice of stopping support to its terror proxies or facing annihilation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Referring to the serious damage caused to Pakistan's crucial air bases, the PM said, "Patrons of terrorism must have got it now that harbouring evil designs against India can have only one consequence: their annihilation. Killing of innocent Indians can have only one consequence: ruination and complete ruination." Addressing IAF, Army and BSF personnel at Adampur airbase, one of the important installations targeted by Pakistan but which escaped lasting damage, PM Modi also said India would consider a Pakistani regime that backs terror a legitimate target for military retaliation. He reiterated that Operation Sindoor was only paused and India would respond strongly to any terror attack or military misadventure. 'No corner in Pak where terrorists can breathe easy': PM Speaking against the backdrop of alleged concern in global capitals over a possible escalation and purported offers to mediate, PM Modi reiterated that Operation Sindoor had only been paused and that India would respond strongly to a terror attack or a military misadventure by deciding the manner of retaliation. He said India's successful strikes against Pakistan had shattered the assumption that terror groups could hit India with impunity since they worked under the security umbrella of Pakistan army. "By routing the Pakistan army, our Army, IAF, Navy... there is no corner in Pakistan where terrorists can breathe easy. We will hit them in their home and will leave no room for them to survive," he added. "India's Lakshman Rekha against terror is now unambiguously clear: If there is a terror attack again, India will respond, it will respond for sure. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We saw it at the time of surgical strikes (2016) and air strikes (2019). And now, Operation Sindoor is the 'new normal'. We have now decided three things. First, India will retaliate against any terror attack and it will unilaterally determine the manner of its response and its timing. Second, India will not succumb to nuclear blackmail. Third, we will not differentiate between heads of terror groups and a govt that patronises them," said the PM who once again stressed that his govt's policy to retaliate militarily against terrorism and military misadventure was not in conflict with the "this is not the time for war" stance he had articulated to appeal for cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. "India is not only the land of Buddha, it is also the land of Guru Gobind Singh who called for befitting reply to be given to adversaries. Even our scriptures have sanctioned the use of force against evil," the PM said as he referred to the killing of innocent tourists in front their wives in Pahalgam. Significantly, he stressed that the world has gradually been coming to terms with India's 'new normal' towards terror. The choice of Adampur airbase, close to the border which Pakistan targeted with drones and missiles on the night of May 9, was itself a statement. Batteries of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air defence system formed a defiant backdrop, belying Pakistan's claim of having destroyed them. PM Modi landing at the airbase also marked a refutation of Pakistan's claim of having damaged the runway, besides drawing a sharp contrast with the heavily damaged airbases of the hostile neighbour. In his speech , the PM kept his steadfast focus on the valour and bravery of the armed forces, and saluted them for calling Pakistan's nuclear bluff. "Our enemy shivered and could hear 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' loudly when our drones demolished the walls of their fortresses, when our missiles struck targets with precision, when we lit up the sky and when our forces called the nuclear bluff," he said.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan urged to take steps for reducing tension with India assert Indo-Pak peace groups
JALANDHAR: Four organisations working for peace and friendship between the people of India and Pakistan for the last few decades have said that a large section of the population in both countries has a deep fear and apprehension that both countries are heading towards a disastrous war. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "In this situation, the need of the hour is to find some peaceful solution. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should initiate direct dialogue with the Indian Prime Minister and condemn the attack on tourists at Pahalgam by the terrorists. He should assure him that in future Pakistan will not allow its land to be used for terrorist activities and shall give full cooperation to India to punish the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack. The serious initiative from Pakistan at the moment can help to halt the further deterioration in relations between the two countries," said Hind-Pak Dosti Manch General Secretary Satnam Singh Manak, Folklore Research Academy president Ramesh Yadav, Pragatisheel Lekhak Sangh President Surjit Judge, and Punjab Jagriti Manch General Secretary Deepak Bali, in a joint statement issued on Friday. They also said that an agreement of 1950 signed between Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani PM Liaqat Ali Khan to protect the interests of minorities in both countries needed not only to be implemented seriously but another new agreement on these lines should also be signed between both countries. This would ensure that their land would not be used for terrorist activities and all bilateral matters be resolved through mutual dialogue. "This is the need of the hour. This shall help in increasing the confidence between the two countries," they argued. They demanded that the harsh decision of terminating visas for the citizens of both countries should have spared the married couples and the people who came for medical treatment on humanitarian grounds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The punishment for the inhuman doings of terrorists should not be given to the common people, and the govts need to realise that common people need to be treated differently from the terrorists. The politicians and media in both countries should also refrain from spreading hatred and provocation at the moment," they said.
