New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) In a crackdown on the Khalistani-gangster nexus, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday raided multiple locations in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
The raids were conducted in 53 locations across these states, aimed at dismantling the terror-gangster-drug smuggler nexus, and nabbing weapon suppliers, financiers, and logistics providers associated with various hardcore gangs and their operatives.
In an official statement, NIA said pistols, ammunition, large numbers of digital devices, and incriminating material, were seized during the raids.
These were the seventh in the series of such crackdowns launched by NIA following the registration of five cases since August 2022.
Besides Arsh Dalla, others under the NIA scanner in these raids were notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi, Sukha Duneke, Harry Maur, Narender Lali, Kala Jatheri and Deepak Tinu.
As per NIA investigation, many of the criminals and gangsters who were earlier leading gangs in India have fled abroad in recent years and are now pursuing their terror and violence-related activities from there.
NIA said, "these gangs are working with drug smugglers and terrorists based out of other countries, including Pakistan, UAE, Canada, Portugal".
It further added that these criminals have been engaged in planning and commissioning serious crimes, including contract and revenge killings, in association with criminals lodged in Jails across India.
"These groups have been carrying out targeted killings and raising funds for attacks and other nefarious activities through smuggling of drugs and weapons, hawala, and extortions," it said.
NIA had earlier conducted similar raids at over 370 locations, leading to seizure of 38 arms, including four lethal weapons, along with 1129 rounds of ammunition.
NIA has so far frozen 87 bank accounts and attached 13 properties, besides seizing 331 digital devices, 418 documents and two vehicles. UNI JA SSP