safety
US files charges against Indian crime boss in assassination that strained Canada-India ties
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
By Reuters
The United States has charged Lawrence Bishnoi, the imprisoned head of an Indian criminal gang, and his North American deputy with directing the 2023 murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which plunged relations between Ottawa and New Delhi into crisis.
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Key takeaway A federal indictment unsealed in Los Angeles alleges Bishnoi and Satinderjeet Singh, also known as “Goldy Brar,” ordered the shooting of Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The US indictment of Lawrence Bishnoi and his deputy for the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada has significant implications for El Paso 's own efforts to combat organized crime. As a border city, El Paso has long been vulnerable to the influence of international crime groups, and the fact that Bishnoi was able to direct operations from an Indian jail cell using smuggled cellphones raises concerns about the reach and sophistication of such groups. The broader investigation that led to the charges against Bishnoi and 36 other defendants also highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies across borders. El Paso's law enforcement community will likely be watching this case closely, looking for lessons that can be applied to their own efforts to disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups that operate in the city and across the US-Mexico border.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 3 min
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What is this story about? By Reuters
The United States has charged Lawrence Bishnoi, the imprisoned head of an Indian criminal gang, and his North American deputy with directing the 2023 murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which plunged relations between Ottawa and New Delhi into crisis.
...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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