NIA Searches Over 100 Locations Across 6 States Including Punjab, Rajasthan, UP In Narco-Terror Cases
National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting searches at over 100 locations across six states in narco-terror cases.
NIA is conducting searches at more than 100 locations in six states-Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh in terror-narcotics smugglers-gangsters nexus cases, reported ANI. The anti-terror agency is conducting searches in close coordination with the state police forces since early Wednesday at the premises and other places linked to suspects. The searches are being conducted in connection with three separate cases lodged by the NIA last year -- RC 37, 38, 39/2022/NIA/DLI.
According to ANI, the agency on January 25 this year arrested one Deepak Ranga, the main shooter in the RPG attack on Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in May 2022. He was nabbed in the case RC-37/2022/NIA/DLI, from Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur. Banga was a close associate of Canada based gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa and Pakistan based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, ANI reported.
#WATCH | Visuals from Haryana's Bahadurgarh as NIA conducts searches at more than 100 locations across six states. The searches are underway in connection with terror-narcotics smugglers-gangsters nexus cases. pic.twitter.com/Z36i8oA8Kc
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2023
Apart from the RPG attack, Deepak Banga has been involved in numerous other violent terrorist and criminal offences, including violent killings. ANI stated that he has been actively receiving terror funds and logistical support from Rinda and Landa.
As per the report, the NIA had registered the case suo moto on September 20, 2022, after it was found that terrorist outfits and terror elements based abroad were operating in tandem with leaders and members of organised criminal gangs. These were reportedly operating in northern states of the country to commit targeted killings and violent criminal acts, the agency said.
#WATCH | NIA is conducting searches at more than 100 locations in six states-Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, Uttarakhand and MP in terror-narcotics smugglers-gangsters nexus cases.
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2023
(Visuals from Punjab's Bathinda) pic.twitter.com/mFgisHNcGo
It had also emerged that the terror-gangster-drug smuggler network was also engaged in smuggling terrorist hardware including arms, ammunition explosives, IEDs etc. across borders. These were facilitated through a widespread inter-state network of gun runners, illegal arms and ammunition manufacturers and suppliers and explosive traffickers.
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