NIA raids 16 sites in Punjab, Rajasthan; Detains 6

Expanding its probe into the gangster-terrorist syndicate, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing five cases with links to pro-Khalistan elements in the United States, Canada, Pakistan, Dubai and Malaysia. The agency on Tuesday conducted raids at 16 locations in Punjab (14 places) and Rajasthan (2 places) in its ongoing investigations against pro-Khalistan and organised criminals nexus and detained six persons to question them.

A gang, headed by jailed Lawrence Bishnoi, has established liaison with other gangs in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, said officials adding that the members of the gang are tasked by PKE to carry out targeted killing of religious leaders, politicians and businessman.

"Bishnoi and Canada-based Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar are the key operators of the gang. Lawrence's cousin, Sachin Thapan Bishnoi, carries out the recruitment and planning along with Goldy Brar. While gangsters Anmol Bishnoi works from abroad, Vikramjit Singh alias Vikram Brar from the UAE and Darman Singh from the US handle the gang's finance deals and logistic support. Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi used to decide the target and his associates abroad call and threaten people. Bishnoi himself does not talk to any shooter, but routes it through close associates including Goldy Brar," according to NIA.


Besides the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, the other gangs active and which are under the radar of the NIA include the Davinder Bambiha gang, Arsh Dalla gang, Kaushal Chaudhary gang, and Amit Dagar gang.

The places where searches were carried out by the NIA on Tuesday include the residential and other premises of the suspects having links with Khalistani supporters and those involved in criminal nexus. "Subsequent to the searches, six people are being examined for their involvement in terrorist activities," the NIA said.