New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday launched raids at 50 locations across north India as part of a crackdown on “organised terror gangs” involved in targeting killings, extortion, kidnappings, smuggling of arms, narco-terrorism, turf wars, and other illegal activities, Hindustan Times reported quoting people familiar with the matter.
The raids are being conducted in coordination with local police forces at locations linked to various gangsters in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and adjoining areas, including the homes of Canada-based gangsters Goldy Brar and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria – who are allegedly involved in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
Officials said these gangsters had come on the radar of the anti-terror agency after a recent investigation in some terror cases revealed a nexus between the gangsters and terrorists. Some of the gangsters, including Lawrence Bishnoi, the chief suspect in Sidhu Moose Wala’s murder, are also operating from prisons, NDTV reported.
According to sources, the Union Home Ministry had then asked the NIA to carry out intelligence-led coordinated operations against these gangsters across India, and also consider their international links.
The residential premises, hideouts, prisons from where these gangs operate and other places were being covered in the raids, which are part of a “larger conspiracy” probe taken up by the central anti-terror probe agency.
As part of the probe, the NIA will look into these gangs’ links with Pakistan-based terror outfits, ISI, and arms suppliers amid reports that they are involved in large-scale anti-national activities, HT’s report added.
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