New Delhi , May 17 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out extensive searches at over 100 locations in six states, namely Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. These searches were conducted as part of ongoing investigations into cases involving the nexus between terror activities, narcotics smuggling, and gangsters.
In collaboration with state police forces, the NIA executed the raids at various premises and locations associated with the suspects. The searches, initiated early on Wednesday, are still underway. The operation is connected to three separate cases registered by the NIA last year, identified as RC 37, 38, and 39/2022/NIA/DLI.
Earlier this year, on January 25, the agency arrested Deepak Ranga, the main shooter involved in the RPG attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in May 2022. Deepak, apprehended in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, had close associations with Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, alias Landa, and Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu, alias Rinda. Alongside the RPG attack, Deepak has been implicated in several other violent terrorist and criminal acts, including homicides. He actively received terror funds and logistical support from Rinda and Landa.
The NIA took suo moto cognizance and registered the case on September 20, 2022, after uncovering a nexus between terrorist organizations abroad and leaders and members of organized criminal gangs in northern states of India. The objective of this network was to carry out targeted killings and other violent criminal activities. Additionally, the investigation revealed the smuggling of terrorist hardware such as arms, ammunition, explosives, and IEDs across borders, facilitated by an extensive inter-state network of illegal arms manufacturers, suppliers, gun runners, and explosive traffickers.
Since the registration of the three criminal cases related to this terror-gangster-drug smuggler network, the NIA has already arrested 19 leaders and members of various organized criminal gangs, two arms suppliers, and a significant financier associated with the network, utilizing provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Moreover, the Ministry of Home Affairs designated Arsh Dalla, based in Canada, as an ‘individual terrorist’ on January 9, 2023.
