Punjab Police Intensifies Crackdown on Gangster Networks Through Operation Prahar
In a significant development, the Punjab Police has launched a comprehensive crackdown targeting the family members and associates of gangsters operating from foreign countries. Under the ongoing Operation Prahar, authorities are meticulously investigating more than 600 individuals linked to approximately 60 overseas-based gangsters. This initiative aims to dismantle the local support structures that facilitate organized crime activities across Punjab, Haryana, and neighboring states.
Arrests and Investigations Reveal Deep-Rooted Involvement
The crackdown recently led to the arrest of Shamsher Singh and Preetpal Kaur, the parents of designated terrorist Satinderjit Singh, alias Goldy Brar. Brar, believed to be holed up in North America, allegedly coordinates a widespread crime network involving extortion, arms supply, and targeted attacks through local operatives. A Muktsar court has remanded the couple in three-day police custody as investigations continue.
According to senior police officers, family members of these gangsters are actively involved in identifying targets for extortion, mediating ransom payments, and providing shelter to shooters. For instance, Shamsher Singh, a former Assistant Sub Inspector dismissed from the Punjab Police due to corruption charges, was found seeking rental flats in Amritsar despite residing in a plush house in Muktsar. This has raised suspicions about his potential role in harboring criminals involved in extortion activities.
Financial Scrutiny and International Coordination
Authorities are scrutinizing the financial backgrounds of accused individuals, given discrepancies between their lifestyles and declared incomes. Muktsar SSP Abhimanyu Rana highlighted that Shamsher Singh, with no pension and limited land holdings, maintains a luxurious lifestyle, including stays in Amritsar hotels for extended periods. The police have approached multiple agencies, including banks and the revenue department, to verify financial transactions and asset ownership.
DIG GS Chauhan of the Anti Gangster Task Force emphasized that Look Out Circulars (LOCs) will be issued proactively to prevent associates from fleeing the country. He noted a marked decline in extortion threats since the launch of Operation Prahar, despite anticipated retaliation from gangsters. DGP Gaurav Yadav reinforced the police's commitment to cracking the nexus between overseas gangsters and local abetters through coordinated efforts with central agencies for deportations and extraditions.
High-Profile Gangsters and Their Origins
The list of wanted criminals includes notorious figures such as Arshdeep Singh (Arsh Dala), Lakhbir Singh (Landa), Harwinder Singh Sandhu (Rinda), and Gurpreet Singh (Goldy Dhillon). These individuals operate from bases in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with the United States being the largest hub for around 15–18 gangsters. Other countries like the UAE, Canada, the UK, Germany, Portugal, Malaysia, and Thailand also serve as operational bases.
Most of these gangsters originate from districts in Punjab's Majha and Doaba regions, with significant concentrations in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Batala, and Gurdaspur. Their notoriety is often amplified through diaspora networks in countries like Canada and the US, blending organized crime with alleged terror elements.
Future Steps and Institutional Measures
To bolster these efforts, the Punjab Police has announced the establishment of an Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell. This cell will coordinate international initiatives, including the issuance of Interpol notices and extradition requests, to bring fugitives to justice. The ongoing operation underscores a two-pronged strategy: disrupting local networks while pursuing gangsters abroad through legal and diplomatic channels.
As Operation Prahar progresses, the Punjab Police remains vigilant in its mission to curb organized crime and ensure public safety, signaling a zero-tolerance approach towards anyone aiding gangsters from within the state.
