The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nitish Kaushal, an alleged associate of jailed Indian gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, in Vermont, USA, as part of Operation Hard Ball — a sustained transnational crackdown on organised crime networks linked to gangsters of Indian origin. The arrest came just two days after the FBI placed Kaushal on its Most Wanted list.

Who Is Nitish Kaushal

According to the FBI, Kaushal was an active member of the Bhagwanpuria syndicate and was directly involved in carrying out serious crimes, including kidnapping and assaults, on behalf of the organisation. On 25 June, the US District Court for the Central District of California had issued an arrest warrant against him, charging him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisation (RICO) Conspiracy.

In a post on X, the FBI stated: 'Nitish Kaushal is wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a transnational criminal organisation engaged in, among other things, acts involving murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling. This organisation originated in the Punjab state of India and operated in the Central District of California and elsewhere.'

Operation Hard Ball: Scale and Scope

Operation Hard Ball, launched earlier this month, has resulted in 24 arrests across the US, Canada, and Spain, along with 37 indictments. At the centre of the investigation is jailed Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, whom US prosecutors have accused of orchestrating murders, extortion, and international drug trafficking from prison in India using smuggled mobile phones. The FBI is also actively searching for Bishnoi's close aide, Goldy Brar, who carries a bounty of $50,000.

The ISI Link and Khalistan Angle

Indian officials described Kaushal's arrest as a significant development, saying it would help dismantle the gangster-terror nexus. According to an Intelligence Bureau official, these syndicates — allegedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) — have evolved into transnational criminal networks with a stated objective of reviving the Khalistan movement in Punjab through organised crime and terror.

'Backed by Pakistan's ISI, these gangs have evolved into transnational criminal syndicates that pose a threat to several countries. They have expanded their drug trafficking operations and use violence and extortion to exert control over sections of the Indian diaspora,' the official said.

Notably, Operation Hard Ball also yielded fresh disclosures regarding the June 2023 killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada — a case that had triggered a sharp diplomatic rupture between India and Canada under then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who alleged Indian government involvement. New Delhi strongly denied the allegation. Relations between the two countries have since improved markedly after Mark Carney assumed office as Canada's Prime Minister.

India's Role and Diplomatic Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on multiple occasions on the sidelines of international events, with both leaders agreeing to deepen cooperation across sectors including security. India has consistently shared actionable intelligence with the US and Canada, which officials say has played a key role in enabling these operations.

The Intelligence Bureau official noted that the biggest victims of these syndicates in Canada have been members of the Indian diaspora — those who refused to support the gangs were threatened and targeted, while more recently even Canadian nationals have come under attack. Their activities have reportedly declined following the sustained crackdown by US and Canadian authorities.

With 24 arrests and 37 indictments already secured, Operation Hard Ball signals a deepening of law enforcement coordination between India, the US, and Canada — and is expected to intensify in the weeks ahead.