क्राइम

NIA searches 122 locations in 6 states in terrorist groups-gangsters nexus case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Wednesday is conducting searches at 122 locations across six states as part of its crackdown on the alleged nexus between gangsters, drug smugglers, and terrorist groups based in foreign countries, including Pakistan and Canada.

According to the details available so far, NIA teams raided a few suspected houses in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. A team of NIA officials, comprising around a dozen officials, went to all these locations at around 4 am.

“Searches are on in connection with three cases registered by NIA. The raids and searches are part of the crackdown against organised criminal syndicates and networks, top gangsters, and their criminal and business associates based in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra,” said an officer.

An officer said the investigation will continue to dismantle such terror networks as well as their funding and support infrastructure.

In February, NIA had raided the houses of people suspected to be in contact with gangsters in Haryana, Punjab, and. The agency has already filed two chargesheet out of three cases.

“A number of criminal gangs active in North India are now being operated from Dubai, and pro-Khalistan organisations are using their networks for executing unlawful activities on the lines similar to that of the underworld in the 1990s. Fugitives, such as Arsh Dala and Gaurav Patial, who are based in foreign countries, are in touch with the pro-Khalistan elements lodged in Indian jails and other countries to carry out targeted killings, extortion and terror acts. It has also come to light that jails have been the place where the crime-terror nexus firmed up,” the NIA charge sheet says.

Three cases were registered by NIA in August 2022 against Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, Pakistan-based gangster Harvinder Singh Rinda, and US-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, who is the founder of the banned, and others for supporting the Khalistan movement.

Two cases were registered against gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and Vikram Brar, as well as their rivals Davinder Bambiha, Kaushal Chaudhary, Neeraj Bawana, Sunil alias Tillu Tajpuriya, Dilpreet, and Sukhpreet alias Budha.