The US Department of Justice has announced a major international crackdown called 'Operation Hard Ball', aimed at dismantling Indian-run criminal networks operating across North America, Europe, and Asia. Conducted jointly by law enforcement agencies from the US, Canada, and Europe, the operation led to charges against 37 suspects and the arrest of 24 individuals from several countries. Authorities seized about one thousand kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine, along with heroin, weapons, and large sums of cash. The investigation identified three major syndicates based in India, including one allegedly controlled by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

The operation has reignited attention on the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, which had earlier triggered a diplomatic rift between India and Canada. A US federal indictment now accuses Bishnoi and his associate Goldy Brar of orchestrating the murder, indirectly implicating Indian networks but not the government itself. India has consistently denied involvement, calling such claims baseless.

The case has intensified scrutiny of alleged state-backed transnational repression, with Western governments expressing concern over cross-border targeting of dissidents. The outcome of ongoing legal proceedings may influence India’s global image and its relations with democratic allies.