Latest news with #Anti-GangsterTaskForce
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Over 100 illegal arms seized in 18 months from across state
1 2 Jaipur: From AK-series rifles to country-made pistols and even muzzleloaders, a wide range of illegal firearms continues to surface in police investigations across Rajasthan. This points to an evolving arms supply chain that caters to both local gangs and organised criminal groups. Since 2023, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) seized more than 100 illegal weapons and recovered 2,115 cartridges from multiple districts. Police officials said many of these weapons were smuggled along a well-trodden corridor extending from Dholpur, near the Uttar Pradesh border, to Pratapgarh, which shares boundaries with Madhya Pradesh. "The gangsters and suppliers work as a closely knit community; they procure weapons both from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh," said an official. Since June, notable recoveries include an AK-56 rifle seized from criminal Rajveer Singh and an AK-46 recovered from a suspect in Dholpur. In Churu, gangster Jitendra Singh alias Jeetu Jodi was caught with an AK-47 and two magazines. In a separate operation in the same district, Praveen Jyoti alias Praveen Commando—who carried a Rs 25,000 reward—was arrested with 18 illegal weapons, 16 magazines, and 160 cartridges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo A major breakthrough came in Pratapgarh, where AGTF officials arrested gangster Salman Khan and arms supplier Rakesh Kumar, recovering 14 illegal foreign and country-made weapons, 10 magazines, and 1,880 live cartridges. This operation also led to the arrest of Ramashankar, a key illegal arms dealer in Uttar Pradesh. Police later arrested a UP-based gun shop owner who allegedly supplied ammunition to the network. Officials said that in several narcotics-related raids, weapons were also recovered, indicating that drug cartels are sourcing firearms alongside their trade. "In many such cases, weapons were seized alongside drugs," said an AGTF officer. According to sources, the seizure in Pratapgarh was one of the largest in recent years, with over 1,800 rounds of ammunition recovered, further exposing the supply networks that support criminal operations across the region. AGTF officials said that after they arrested the gun shop owner from Uttar Pradesh, they also began to keep an eye on similar businessmen in Rajasthan. "We found that the accused arrested from Uttar Pradesh used to siphon off ammunition to gangs by forging his record sheets. After that, we decided to examine other gun house owners in Rajasthan," said an official.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
2 Bishnoi gang members held for extortion attempt in city
Jaipur: The city crime branch police Saturday arrested two men accused of trying to extort money from a Jaipur-based businessman in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi. The suspects, identified as 30-year-old Netrapal Singh and 36-year-old Maan Prajapat—also known as Mangalchand or Maan Boxer—were allegedly acting under instructions from Hari Boxer, an associate of Anmol Bishnoi believed to be running gang operations from abroad. Police sources said the businessman received a threatening message on WhatsApp demanding Rs 10 crore last week. A cyber investigation was launched, leading to the arrest of the two accused. Officers recovered two mobile phones suspected to have been used for the extortion call and for contacting Hari Boxer. Netrapal was traced to the Lal Kothi area, while Prajapat was picked up from Amer. Officials said both men were using Anmol Bishnoi's name to intimidate businessmen and were involved in land grabbing in the city. They were collecting information on potential targets and threatening them by claiming ties to the Bishnoi gang. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Spacious 4 BHK Homes starting @ ₹5.25 Cr* on Dwarka E-Way Emaar India Get Quote Undo According to police, Prajapat remained in frequent contact with Hari Boxer through social media and used his connections with the gang to strike land deals and extort businessmen. Netrapal, a resident of Kunda in Amer, was also actively involved in the operation. DCP (Crime) Kundan Kanwaria said an investigation is underway into the network of organised gangs operating in Jaipur and more arrests are expected. The recent surge in extortion cases and gang activity has put the police on alert. On Friday, Churu police along with the Anti-Gangster Task Force arrested two men linked to gangsters Rohit Godara and Virendra Charan. The accused—Devkaran alias Deva from Lalasar and Vijay Singh from Churu—were found with two US Army pistols. Police said they were planning to flee abroad using fake passports after committing a major crime. Vijay previously travelled abroad using forged documents created with a Sikar address.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- India Gazette
Punjab police's AGTF foils terror plot by Pakistan-based BKI operative
Gurdaspur (Punjab) [India], July 9 (ANI): The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has successfully stopped a major terror plot by Harwinder Rinda, a Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative supported by Pakistan's ISI. Using important information, the AGTF team found and took away weapons from a forest in Gurdaspur. They recovered two AK-47 rifles with 16 bullets, two magazines, and two hand grenades before these weapons could reach Harwinder Rinda's helpers. In a post on X, DGP Punjab Police said, 'In an intelligence-led operation, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (#AGTF) Punjab successfully foiled a major terror plot orchestrated by Harwinder Rinda, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative based in #Pakistan and backed by Pakistan's ISI. Acting swiftly on human intelligence, AGTF teams traced and recovered a large cache of terrorist hardware, including two AK-47 rifles with 16 live cartridges, two magazines, and two P-86 hand grenades from a forest area in #Gurdaspur, before it could reach Harwinder @ Rinda's associates.' The first investigation shows that these weapons were sent into India by Pakistani groups and Harwinder Rinda to carry out attacks in different places in Punjab. Their goal was to disturb peace in the state. A police case has been registered under the Explosives Act and the Arms Act at the Purana Shala police station in Gurdaspur. 'Preliminary investigation reveals, the recovered consignment was pushed into India by Pakistani agencies and Harwinder @ Rinda as part of a premeditated plan to carry out attacks at multiple locations in Punjab, aiming to disrupt public peace. An FIR under the Explosives Act and the Arms Act has been registered at PS Purana Shala, Gurdaspur,' the post reads. The police are still investigating to find and catch the people working with Rinda who were involved in this weapons smuggling. The Punjab Police said they are fully committed to stopping organized crime and keeping the people safe. 'Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend Rinda's operatives involved in the recovered weapon consignment. @PunjabPoliceIndreaffirms its unwavering commitment to dismantling organised crime networks and ensuring the safety and security of citizens,' the post further reads. (ANI)
News18
6 days ago
- News18
Drones, Sleeper Cells: Gurdaspur Arms Haul Points To ISI-Khalistani Terror Nexus In Punjab
Last Updated: The Anti-Gangster Task Force recovered a high-grade weapons cache from a forest area in Gurdaspur, thereby, averting its delivery to Rinda's ground associates. In a recent intelligence-led operation, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police thwarted a significant terror plot connected to Harwinder Singh Rinda, a Pakistan-based operative of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Leveraging credible intelligence, the Anti-Gangster Task Force recovered a high-grade weapons cache from a forest area in Gurdaspur, thereby, averting its delivery to Rinda's ground associates. DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav confirmed that this arms dump, consisting of two AK-47 rifles, 16 live cartridges, two magazines, and two P-86 hand grenades, was part of a larger ISI-backed terror scheme targeting Punjab. According to top intelligence sources, Gurdaspur holds critical importance for Khalistani terror groups and ISI. CNN-News18 elaborated on the strategic significance of Gurdaspur for these operatives and hybrids associated with Canada-based handlers, highlighting its border proximity and terrain advantages. Sources reveal that Gurdaspur's terrain, which includes river channels and dense forest areas, is ideal for drone infiltration, arms dumping, and crossings. This area has historically been used for terror logistics by ISI and Khalistani operatives due to its proven track record in cross-border terror movements. Notably, the Dinanagar Attack, where three Pakistani terrorists infiltrated via the Gurdaspur sector, and multiple drone arms drops from 2020 to 2024, underline this risk. Intelligence sources confirmed that Punjab Police, along with central agencies, intercepted over 40 drones in the Gurdaspur region in 2023, further substantiating the area's role in terror logistics. DGP Punjab also affirmed that terror modules are increasingly utilising Gurdaspur's forests and farmland edges to establish cold dumps of arms and explosives, intended for activation months later by sleeper modules following instructions from Pakistani handlers. Investigations indicate that Gurdaspur harbours radicalised sympathisers linked to former jailed prisoners, diaspora-funded handlers, and families associated with ISYF, which facilitates a cross-border smuggling chain for safe passage of drone payload retrieval and human operatives. The Dera Baba Nanak corridor in Gurdaspur connects to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, a route exploited for radical preaching, propaganda exchanges, and message couriers posing as pilgrims, sources say. Central intelligence continuously warns that this corridor could be misused by ISI to legitimise the Khalistani narrative, sending communication devices, pen drives, and route maps. Sources confirm that ISI handlers operating from Lahore, Multan, and Bahawalpur regularly brief Harwinder Singh Rinda, who then directs Indian-based operatives via encrypted communications. Gurdaspur remains the primary receiving station for these terror modules, specifically for arms recovery, before transporting them to main districts such as Bathinda, Moga, and Ludhiana. This recent arms recovery underscores the shift towards long-term storage and sleeper cell strategy, deviating from earlier quick delivery terror modes. Intelligence sources indicate that the Pakistan-backed proxy war targeting Punjab's security continues to rely heavily on Gurdaspur as a pivotal frontier. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Terror plot foiled after cache of arms recovered in Punjab's Gurdaspur
Punjab Police on Wednesday said they have foiled a major terror plot orchestrated by Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and recovered a cache of arms from a forest area in Gurdaspur. The two AK-47 rifles with 16 cartridges, two magazines, and two P-86 (high explosive) hand-grenades that were recovered from a forest area in Punjab's border district of Gurdaspur. (X) Preliminary investigation found that the consignment was pushed into India by Pakistani agencies and Rinda as part of a premeditated plan to carry out attacks at multiple locations in Punjab, director general of police Gaurav Yadav said. 'In an intelligence-led operation, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (#AGTF), Punjab successfully foiled a major terror plot orchestrated by Harwinder Rinda, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative based in #Pakistan and backed by Pakistan's ISI,' Yadav posted on X. The DGP said acting swiftly on human intelligence, AGTF teams traced and recovered a cache of terrorist hardware, including two AK-47 rifles with 16 live cartridges, two magazines, and two P-86 (high explosive) hand-grenades from a forest area in Gurdaspur, before it could reach Harwinder Rinda's associates. 'Preliminary investigation reveals the recovered consignment was pushed into India by Pakistani agencies and Harwinder @ Rinda as part of a premeditated plan to carry out attacks at multiple locations in Punjab, aiming to disrupt public peace,' he said. An FIR under the Explosives Act and the Arms Act has been registered at Purana Shala police station in Gurdaspur, he said. 'Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend Rinda's operatives involved in the recovered weapon consignment,' the DGP said.
