In a massive operation on Wednesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at more than 100 locations across six states, namely Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. The raids were carried out in connection with cases involving a dangerous nexus between terror groups, narcotics smugglers, and gangsters.
Coordinated closely with state police forces, the NIA launched the raids early in the day, targeting premises and other places linked to suspects involved in the nefarious activities. As of now, the raids are ongoing. The operation is linked to three separate cases, denoted as RC 37, 38, 39/2022/NIA/DLI, that were registered by the NIA last year.
Earlier this year, on January 25, the NIA arrested Deepak Ranga, the main shooter in the RPG attack on Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in May 2022. Deepak was apprehended in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, as he was identified as a close associate of notorious gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, also known as Landa, and Harvinder Singh Sandhu, alias Rinda, based in Canada and Pakistan respectively.
Besides his involvement in the RPG attack, Deepak has been implicated in numerous other acts of violence, including violent killings. He has been actively receiving terror funds and logistical support from Rinda and Landa. The NIA had taken up the case on September 20, 2022, after it became evident that terrorist organizations and elements abroad were collaborating with leaders and members of organized criminal gangs operating in northern states of India to carry out targeted killings and violent criminal acts.
Further investigations also revealed that the terror-gangster-drug smuggler network was engaged in smuggling arms, ammunition, explosives, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) across borders. This network relied on an extensive inter-state system of gun runners, illegal arms and ammunition manufacturers, suppliers, and explosive traffickers.
Following the registration of the three criminal cases against the terror-gangster-drug smuggler network, the NIA has made significant progress. So far, the agency has arrested 19 leaders and members of various organized criminal gangs, two arms suppliers, and one major financier associated with the network under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Furthermore, Arsh Dalla, a Canadian national, was designated as an "individual terrorist" by the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 9 this year, highlighting the international dimension of the operation.
The NIA's latest raids signify a strong crackdown on the terror-narcotics smugglers-gangsters nexus, aiming to dismantle the complex web of criminal activities that pose a grave threat to national security. The agency's relentless efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice are commendable as they work towards ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens across the affected states.