International Extortion, Targeted-killing Module Busted in Punjab, 13 Arrested

An international extortion and targeted-killed module has been busted by Khanna police. The module was operated by Amrit Bal-Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang and has links with foreign-based Babbar Khalsa terrorists. Along with the arrests, the police also recovered firearms and ammunition from the gang members.

DGP Punjab Police shared the news on Twitter revealing that Khanna police successfully busted international extortion and targeting module operated by Amrit Bal-Jaggu Bhagwanpuria-Pargat Sekhon Gang. There were 13 arrests and the culprits have been identified as Charlas, Parveen Singh, both residents of Gurdaspur; Gurjant Singh alias Janti and Sukhvir Singh, both from Ludhiana, Harsimranjit Singh Simma, Shamsher Singh, Sarabjot Singh, and Daljit Kaur alias Mano, all residents of Amritsar; Mahinder Verma alias DK of Madhya Pradesh; Ramesh of Rajasthan; Sandeep Singh Shelly of Fatehgarh Sahib, and Rafi and Waris Ali of Malerkotla.

The accused included shooters, shelter providers, weapons providers, and others who were tasked with 14 targeted killings. The police also recovered five illegal weapons and 53 live cartridges from the gang members.

A total of 13 target suppliers & shelter providers have been arrested with recovery of 5 weapons & 53 cartridges.

FIR under UAPA registered. Timely action taken to destroy the local network and support, to prevent any major incident. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/9oUAGvkdO3

— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) January 18, 2023

On December 5, 2022, Khanna police arrested two persons namely Mahinder Verma and Ramesh Chauhan. While questioning them, the police uncovered their links with gangster Amrit Bal (US-based) and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. These two were tasked with carrying out a targeted killing in Yamunanagar, Haryana, but failed to do so due to unknown reasons.

From the information given by the two, three more gang members – Gurjant, Sandeep, and Sukhvir, were arrested. On December 24-25, Sarabjot Singh and Daljit Kaur alias Mano were arrested for arranging finances for the shooters and taking instructions from Amrit Bal and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

SP Investigation Pragya Jain shared that some of the accused were contacting young boys through social media platforms and providing weapons as well as money through their handlers. She added, “After this module was busted, police have taken steps for the security and safety of the persons who were on the target of this gang. Further probe may also lead to the arrest of other members.”

Vineet Washington