Punjab Police Bust Pak-Backed Arms, Drug Smuggling Network; 5 Arrested
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Another arrest in Punjab RPG attack puts Armenia-based syndicate in focus
1 2 Chandigarh: The special cell of Delhi Police has made another arrest in connection with the April 7 RPG attack at Qila Lal Singh police station in Punjab's Batala, nabbing 22-year-old Karanbir alias Karan from Gurdaspur in an Arms Act case registered at the special cell police station. An officer said he had confessed to his involvement in the rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack, which traces its roots to masterminds and handlers in the US, Greece, and Armenia. Karan, according to the special cell of Delhi Police, has allegiance with the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). His arrest came four days after another accused and alleged BKI operative, Akashdeep Singh alias Baaz (22), was arrested by the special cell from Indore on April 22. Both are residents of Chananke village in Amritsar district. Karan is the brother of Gursewak, who was among those already arrested by Punjab Police, an officer privy to the case details revealed. The Delhi Police officer said Karan spent three months in Armenia in 2024. He is accused of providing shelter to the perpetrators of the Qila Lal Singh police station attack and receiving funds sent by the handlers for the attack. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Resmed AirSense 11 with flat 20% off ResMed Buy Now Undo The officer also said two-three shooters of this syndicate have fled to Armenia, where one of the key components of this syndicate is based. The officer said Karan was also involved in other criminal activities carried out by the syndicate. Delhi additional commissioner of police Pramod Singh Kushwah said over the phone that after the arrest of Akashdeep from Indore, they learnt about Karanbir's involvement in the Qila Lal Singh police station attack case. "He was arrested in Gurdaspur on Sunday. He was part of the conspiracy and played a key role in the grenade attack," Kushwah said. The RPG attack case was initially probed by Punjab Police before it was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this month. The special cell of Delhi Police had also started working on the BKI module allegedly involved in the attack after United States-based Happy Passia (arrested by the FBI in the US on April 17), Manu Agwan (who police believe is in Greece), and Gopi Nawanshahria (who police suspect to be in North America) claimed responsibility and threatened to carry out an attack in Delhi as well. Armenia-based Shera on radar Among others, Punjab Police have named Armenia-based Shamsher Singh aka Shera aka Honey as an accused in the Qila Lal Singh police station attack. According to Punjab Police, the associates of Shera were responsible for the retrieval and disposal of the RPG under his directions in the attack. Batala senior superintendent of police Suhail Qasim Mir said before giving the case to NIA, Punjab Police arrested a dozen accused, and Gursewak was one of them. "Armenia-based Shamsher Singh Shera is one of the accused," he said. Closely linked to now-arrested Happy Passia and Pakistani-based BKI terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda, Shera, as per a police dossier, is described as a foreign-based active node of the Rinda-Passia terror network. The dossier reads, "He plays a key role in supporting the terror network by providing manpower, logistics, and financial aid for their nefarious activities." Shera is wanted by Punjab Police in FIRs linked to terrorism, organised crime, and anti-national acts, reads the dossier. Shera, a native of village Mann in Gurdaspur district, according to the police dossier, facilitated the targeted killing of Hardeep Singh, a resident of Jouria Kalan, Batala. He also tasked his local associates, Kuldeep Singh and Avtar Singh of Jalandhar, with carrying out target killings in the Ludhiana area. MSID:: 122936213 413 |
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Kharar's ‘foreign' clusters under NCB watch after drug bust
1 2 Chandigarh: A day after the UT police dismantled an international drug syndicate operating in the Tricity, arresting three foreign nationals staying illegally in the country — with two of them living in Kharar, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Chandigarh Zonal Unit and Punjab Police jointly conducted a search operation in the Kharar area of Mohali district on Sunday to clamp down on drug trafficking and overstaying foreign nationals. Among the arrested individuals, Imoru Damian (31), a Nigerian national, and Toufe Yousouf (30) from Cape Town, South Africa stayed in a rented flat in Kharar. Police seized significant quantities of cocaine and amphetamine, along with a Honda City car used in the operation. The NCB-police joint operation specifically targeted rented accommodations near a private university and Gharuan village, areas flagged for developing into clusters of foreign nationals—mainly from African countries. During the drive, teams inspected around 20 flats and paying guest accommodations (PGs), checking the visa and passport details of foreign residents. Officials said the operation was a preventive measure to address concerns about "ghettoisation" and the potential misuse of rented premises by foreign nationals involved in illegal activities, particularly drug trade. "No foreign national was found residing without valid documentation during this operation," said an NCB official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "However, the exercise was crucial in reinforcing vigilance and disrupting the possibility of illegal hubs taking root in these areas." Property owners and PG operators were sensitised about their responsibility to verify tenant credentials and report any suspicious activity. Police urged landlords to remain alert and not turn a blind eye to potential law violations on their premises. Officials added that the operation was part of a broader strategy to prevent the formation of problematic enclaves, ensure compliance with immigration norms, and strengthen the fight against drug networks operating in the region. The NCB and Punjab Police emphasised that such joint actions would continue in a sustained manner, reinforcing their commitment to a "Drug-Free India" and safeguarding national security through proactive enforcement and community engagement. The trio arrested over the past few days operated in isolation, with handlers based abroad coordinating the network, cops claimed. The syndicate sourced drugs from Delhi and targeted youth in the Tricity, they added. Investigators also uncovered a disturbing link to a network of Nigerian students in Kharar, allegedly exploited for drug distribution.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
On the run for 25 years: When law fails to catch up with 800 POs
Mohali: After constituting a special team to crack down on long-standing fugitives, the Mohali Police discovered that it has over 800 proclaimed offenders (POs), many of whom have been evading the law for up to 25 years. In the past 30 days alone, 23 POs were arrested, marking the beginning of an aggressive and focused campaign to bring long-absconding criminals to justice. These POs — accused in cases ranging from cheating, robbery, theft, accidents, assaults, extortion, and fights — either jumped bail or stopped attending court hearings and continued to live normal lives in parts of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and even abroad. Taking serious note of the backlog, Mohali senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans constituted a special committee comprising SP (operations), DSP, and ASIs, tasked with identifying, tracking, and apprehending these offenders. "After assuming charge, I reviewed our PO list and realised the urgency to act. We formed a dedicated team to compile data, verify case statuses, and initiate arrests," said SSP Hans. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "In just one month, we arrested 23 POs. The drive will continue until we reach our target of 800." SP (detective) Saurav Jindal, heading the data compilation effort, stated that the team worked diligently to track down offenders and initiate the legal process. DSP Naveen Pal Singh Lehal added that several of the arrested individuals were found to have jumped bail, while others were already serving sentences in different cases — in such cases, production warrants were obtained to bring them under trial for pending charges. Some POs, however, fled the country, making their arrest more complex. "During our investigation, we found that fraud accused Preet Brar and his brother Amrit Brar, involved in a Rs 51 lakh cheating case, escaped to Canada. Similarly, Gaurav Kumar, accused in a journalist's murder, is now in Uttar Pradesh, and the wife of Armenia-based gangster Gaurav Padial has also reportedly left for Canada," the DSP added.
