Sunil Yadav, notorious drug smuggler, killed in California shootout; Lawrence Bishnoi gang takes responsibility

Sunil Yadav, a notorious drug smuggler and fugitive, was killed in a shootout in Stockton, California, on Monday. Yadav, originally from Abohar in Punjab’s Fazilka district, was wanted for his involvement in multiple high-profile criminal cases in India, particularly in Rajasthan. He was known for smuggling drugs into India, using the Pakistan route. Yadav’s name had surfaced in connection with a ₹300 crore drugs consignment that was seized in India. He was also implicated in various cases of murder, extortion, and organized crime.

Two years ago, Yadav fled India, using a fake passport under the name "Rahul." Before moving to the United States, Yadav had been living in Dubai, where Rajasthan police had previously worked with local authorities to arrest him and bring him back to India. His criminal history included involvement in the 2019 murder of a jeweler, Pankaj Soni, in Rajasthan's Ganganagar district. Though arrested in connection with the murder, Yadav was released on bail and later fled the country.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, led by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has claimed responsibility for Yadav’s death. According to gang member Rohit Godara, Yadav was targeted as an act of revenge for the 2019 encounter killing of Ankit Bhadu, a prominent member of the Bishnoi gang. Bhadu had been killed by Punjab police in February 2019 during an encounter. Reports suggest that Yadav had provided information to the police about Bhadu’s whereabouts, leading to Bhadu being tracked and killed by the police during a raid in Zirakpur. Bhadu, a key shooter for the Bishnoi gang, had been hiding with an accomplice when he attempted to flee and was fatally shot by the police.

Yadav’s activities in the United States attracted further attention as he continued to provide information about gang members to various law enforcement agencies. According to sources, he was involved in sharing intelligence about the activities of the Bishnoi gang while in the US. This reportedly increased tensions between Yadav and the Bishnoi gang, ultimately leading to his murder. Indian authorities had been aware of Yadav’s international activities, particularly his role in the drug trade, and had been monitoring him through multiple channels.

The killing of Yadav in the US has raised concerns about the reach of criminal networks operating across borders. It highlights the growing involvement of Indian gangs in international smuggling operations and the complex global networks they operate within. While California police are investigating the circumstances of the shootout, Indian authorities are coordinating with their US counterparts to piece together the details of the incident.

The investigation into Yadav’s killing is still ongoing, with law enforcement agencies in both India and the US working together to gather information. The shootout marks another chapter in the international efforts to combat transnational crime, as criminal figures like Yadav continue to operate in multiple countries, engaging in drug smuggling, murder, and other illicit activities.