The police forces of Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and the UT of Chandigarh provided necessary support and assistance.
Published Sep 28, 2023 | 12:35 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 28, 2023 | 12:35 PM
NIA representative picture.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday, 27 September, detained several suspects during a massive multi-state crackdown on the terrorists-gangsters-drug smugglers’ nexus, connected with “listed terrorist” Arsh Dalla and many dreaded gangsters.
The police forces of Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and the UT of Chandigarh provided the necessary support and assistance to the NIA in the raids.
A total of 53 locations were raided during the day-long operation, which started early morning on Wednesday.
Pistols, ammunition, large numbers of digital devices and incriminating material, were seized during the raids that spanned the six states.
Besides Arsh Dalla, others under the NIA scanner in these raids were notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi, Sukha Duneke (deceased), Harry Maur, Narender alias Lali, Kala Jatheri, Deepak Tinu etc.
These were the seventh in the series of such crackdowns launched by NIA following the registration of five cases since August 2022, including the two new cases registered against Organised Criminal Gangs in July 2023.
“The cases relate to conspiracies of targeted killings, terror funding of pro-Khalistan outfits, extortion, etc. by the gangsters, many of whom are lodged in various Jails or are operating from various foreign countries, including Pakistan, Canada, Malaysia, Portugal and Australia, etc.”, said the anti-terror federal agency in its official communication.
“The focus of today’s raids, aimed at dismantling the terror-gangster-drug smuggler nexus, was on weapon suppliers, financiers and logistics providers associated with various hardcore gangs and their operatives. These gangs are working with drug smugglers and terrorists based out of other countries, including Pakistan, UAE, Canada, and Portugal etc.”, it further added.
NIA investigations have revealed that the conspiracies under investigation were being hatched in Jails of different states and were being executed by an organised network of operatives based abroad.
Notable among such conspiracies were the sensational killing of Maharashtra builder Sanjay Biyani, Mining trader Mehal Singh and international Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambia in Punjab last year.
“Many of the criminals and gangsters who were earlier leading gangs in India have fled abroad in recent years and are now pursuing their terror and violence-related activities from there, as per NIA investigations. These criminals have been engaged in planning and commissioning serious crimes, including contract and revenge killings, in association with criminals lodged in jails across India,” the NIA said.
“These groups have been carrying out targeted killings and raising funds for attacks and other nefarious activities through smuggling of drugs and weapons, hawala and extortions”, it added.
The spotlight on these gangs has become sharper after reports of several Prisons becoming havens of the deadly nexus and hubs of gang wars, which recently resulted in violence and murder inside Goindwal Jail of Punjab etc.
Some of the locations where raids were conducted today included:
