Khalistani terrorist, dreaded Bishnoi gang gunmen among 6 arrested in NIA raids

New Delhi: A Khalistan terrorist and associates of the dreaded Lawrence Bishnoi gang are among the six people arrested by NIA during its nation-wide raids carried out this week to bust known terrorist-gangster-drug smuggler nexus.

“Those arrested include Lucky Khokhar @ Denis, who is a close associate of Canada based ‘designated terrorist’, Arshdeep Singh @ 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 Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Goldy Brar,” according to an NIA statement.

Khokhar, a resident of Bhatinda, 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 directions of Arsh Dala.

NIA had registered a suo-moto case on Aug 20 last against seven people, including Harwinder Singh @ Rinda, Lakhbir Singh Sandhu @ Landa, and Arshdeep Singh @ Arsh Dala. One person, Deepak Ranga, was earlier arrested in the case by NIA.

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.

Besides Khokhar, the NIA also arrested Lakhvir Singh, s/o Jarnail Singh r/o Gidderbaha, Muktsar, Punjab, Harpreet, s/o Shyam Lal, r/o Nihal Singh Wala, Moga, Punjab, Dalip Bishnoi, r/o of Bishanpura Abohar, Dist-Fazilka, Punjab, Surinder @Chiku Chaudhary r/o Vill-Narnaul, Dist- Mahendragarh, Haryana and Hari Om @ Titu, s/o Rameshwar r/o Gurugram, Haryana.

While Hari Om @ Titu was arrested on Tuesday, Lakhvir Singh, was nabbed a day later in connection with a case registered against them and their associates in August last for allegedly attempting to motivate and recruit youth for terror activities by using social media. They were also using social media to ‘publicize’ their crimes in a bid to create fear among the general public.

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, inlcuding Kaushal Choudhary, Amit Dagar, Sukhpreet Singh, Bhupi Rana, Neeraj Bawana, Naveen Bali and Sunil Balyan, in this case.

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 youth 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 extortions. He has been involved in illegal liquor contracts, smuggling and extortion from liquor & mining contractors in Haryana and has been one of the main financers of terror-gangster sydicates.

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.

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.

Further investigations are on to dismantle such terror networks and their funding and support infrastructure.