Lawrence Bishnoi gang shooters arrested in Delhi before targeted killing
Synopsis
Delhi Police foiled a targeted killing plot linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi-Hari Boxer gang, arresting three shooters who had already scouted multiple targets in the capital and were taking orders from a network abroad — all while the FBI's Operation Hard Ball was simultaneously dismantling the same syndicate across North America.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police's Rohini District Special Staff arrested three alleged shooters — Randeep Malik , Hari Boxer , and Anil Pandit — on 12 July .
The trio had allegedly conducted reconnaissance of multiple targets in New Delhi and were receiving instructions from a foreign-based network .
An extortion demand of ₹1 crore was initially made by Randeep Malik , later raised by Hari Boxer .
One of the accused had previously been arrested in a murder case in 2024 and had only recently been released from prison.
Police confirmed that links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang remain subject to investigation.
The arrests follow the FBI's Operation Hard Ball , which detained more than 20 individuals tied to the Bishnoi transnational network in the United States .
The Delhi Police's Rohini District Special Staff arrested three alleged shooters on Sunday, 12 July, who reportedly had links with the Lawrence Bishnoi-Hari Boxer gang and were purportedly planning a targeted killing in the national capital. The trio had allegedly conducted reconnaissance of multiple targets in New Delhi and were receiving operational instructions through a network based abroad.
Who Was Arrested
The three accused have been identified as Randeep Malik, Hari Boxer, and Anil Pandit. Shashank Jaiswal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Rohini, confirmed the arrests, saying the three 'were working on the directions of gangsters and also conducted recce for them.'
According to DCP Jaiswal, one of the three had previously been arrested in a murder case in 2024, served time, and was allegedly attempting to re-offend when he was apprehended. 'He was released from prison and was attempting to commit the offence but was arrested before he could do so,' the officer said.
Extortion Demands and Gang Links Under Probe
Police said the accused had also made an extortion demand. 'There was an initial demand of ₹1 crore by Randeep Malik, which was later increased by Hari Boxer,' DCP Jaiswal said. However, the officer was careful to note that the precise nature of the gang affiliation remains unconfirmed: 'Whether or not the accused have links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is a matter of investigation.'
The three were reportedly wanted in connection with several incidents in Delhi. Investigators are examining the foreign-based network through which they allegedly received target information and instructions.
Context: FBI's Operation Hard Ball Against Bishnoi Network
The arrests come shortly after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in coordination with other US law enforcement agencies, launched a sweeping crackdown codenamed 'Operation Hard Ball', which took more than 20 individuals into custody. The operation targeted the Lawrence Bishnoi network and was aimed at dismantling key factions of the transnational criminal syndicate allegedly involved in criminal activities across North America and India.
Notably, a key finding from the US operation was that investigators found nothing linking the Indian government to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani operative. An official said the development vindicates India's position against allegations made by then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2023, who had claimed Indian involvement in Nijjar's murder — a charge New Delhi had consistently denied.
What Happens Next
The three accused are in police custody and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are working to map the foreign network that allegedly directed the accused and to identify additional targets that may have been under surveillance. The case underscores the growing reach of transnational gang networks operating across borders to direct criminal activity inside India.
Point of View
With the accused having already conducted physical reconnaissance before police intervened. That one of the three had a prior 2024 murder arrest and was back in the field so quickly raises questions about the efficacy of bail and monitoring frameworks for organised crime suspects. The timing — coming on the heels of the FBI's Operation Hard Ball — suggests coordinated international pressure on the Bishnoi network, yet the Delhi case shows that domestic cells remain active and capable of mounting fresh operations. The unresolved gang-link question is also significant: police hedging on the Bishnoi affiliation points to the difficulty of attribution in a network designed to maintain plausible deniability across jurisdictions.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three shooters arrested by Delhi Police on 12 July?
The three accused arrested by the Rohini District Special Staff are Randeep Malik , Hari Boxer , and Anil Pandit . They were allegedly planning a targeted killing in New Delhi and had conducted reconnaissance of multiple targets while receiving instructions from a network based abroad.
What is the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and why is it significant?
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang is a transnational criminal syndicate allegedly involved in targeted killings, extortion, and organised crime across India and North America. It has drawn international attention, including a major FBI crackdown — Operation Hard Ball — that detained over 20 individuals in the United States linked to the network.
What extortion demand did the accused allegedly make?
According to DCP Rohini Shashank Jaiswal, the accused initially demanded ₹1 crore , a figure that was subsequently raised by one of the accused, Hari Boxer.
Has the gang link to Lawrence Bishnoi been confirmed?
No. DCP Shashank Jaiswal explicitly stated that 'whether or not the accused have links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is a matter of investigation.' The purported affiliation remains unverified at this stage.
What was Operation Hard Ball and how does it connect to these arrests?
Operation Hard Ball was a major FBI-led crackdown on the Lawrence Bishnoi transnational network in the United States, resulting in the detention of more than 20 individuals. The Delhi arrests followed this operation and involve individuals allegedly linked to the same broader network, highlighting its cross-border reach.
