The NIA investigations have so far revealed that many criminals, who were leading gangsters in India, had fled to countries like Pakistan, Canada, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia and were planning their terror and criminal acts from there.
The NIA conducted raids at 76 locations in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. (File photo)
By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: Following the recent nationwide raids of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at 76 locations across eight states, six people have been arrested, including close associates of gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Khalistan idealogues. Those arrested include Lucky Khokhar, who is a close associate of Canada-based ‘designated terrorist’, Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla.
Others who were arrested in the raids, which were carried out in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP, Delhi, NCR, Maharashtra, and MP, include associates of gangsters Lawrance Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Goldy Brar, the NIA said.
The probe agency had registered a suo-moto case on August 20 last against seven people, including Harwinder Singh, Lakhbir Singh Sandhu and Arshdeep Singh. One person, Deepak Ranga, was earlier arrested in the case by the agency.
The NIA investigations have so far revealed that many criminals, who were leading gangsters in India, had fled to countries like Pakistan, Canada, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia and were planning their terror and criminal acts from there, in association with criminals lodged in jails in different states.
These groups were carrying out targeted killings and raising funds for their nefarious activities through smuggling of drugs and weapons, hawala and extortions.
ALSO READ | NIA raids in 8 states in major operation against terrorists-gangsters nexus
Lucky Khokhar, a resident of Bhatinda in Punjab, who was nabbed from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, was in direct and frequent contact with Arsh Dala in Canada and had carried out recruitment for him and received funds from him for carrying out terror-related activities. He had provided arms and ammunition to Arsh Dala’s associates in Punjab on his directions, which were also used for carrying out the recent killing in Jagraon, Punjab on the direction of Arsh Dala.
According to a NIA spokesperson, Khokhar was working for Dala, who has been involved in smuggling arms, ammunition, explosives, IEDs etc across international and inter-state borders in India for several Khalistani terror outfits, including the Khalistan Liberation Force, Babbar Khalsa International and International Sikh Youth Federation.
Others arrested include Hari Om alias Titu and Lakhvir Singh. Nine weapons were recovered from Lakhvir’s possession. He is a notorious criminal and an associate of Chhotu Ram Bhaat, who was earlier arrested in the case. The NIA has so far arrested 9 accused, including Kaushal Choudhary, Amit Dagar, Sukhpreet Singh, Bhupi Rana, Neeraj Bawana, Naveen Bali and Sunil Balyan, in this case.
ALSO READ | 7 Indian states, 4 countries: How Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi runs his crime syndicate?
According to the spokesperson, Surender Chaudhrary and Dalip Bishnoi, are known associates of gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Canada-based criminal, Goldy Brar.
They were arrested for raising funds, recruiting youths and carrying out terrorist acts on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This case was also registered by the NIA in August last and 10 accused, including Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Kala Jatheri, Kala Rana, Joginder Singh, Rajesh Kumar, Raju Basoudi, Anil Chippi, Naresh Yadav, and Shahbaz Ansari have been arrested.
The spokesperson said Surinder Chaudhry, who was arrested on Tuesday, faces several cases under the NDPS Act, for attempt to murder and extortion. He has been involved in illegal liquor contracts, smuggling and extortion from liquor and mining contractors in Haryana and has been one of the main financers of terror-gangster syndicates.
Dalip Bishnoi, who was arrested on Wednesday, is a habitual criminal, having 13 cases against him. He has been one of the main financers of this terror gang and was providing logistics support to the gangs in Punjab and Rajasthan. Further investigations are on to dismantle such terror networks and their funding and support infrastructure.
ALSO READ | Who is Lawrence Bishnoi, whose gang shot Sidhu Moose Wala
