NIA Launches Raids Across 5 States in Ongoing Terrorist-Gangster Nexus Probe
NEW DELHI : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) intensified its crackdown on the terrorist-gangster nexus today with simultaneous searches conducted at 30 locations across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chandigarh.
The raids, which commenced early in the morning, involved multiple NIA teams working in collaboration with state police forces. Targeting individuals linked to the ongoing probe, these operations were based on specific intelligence gathered during previous interrogations.
“NIA is carrying out extensive searches at 30 locations across 4 States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and UT of Chandigarh in Terrorist-Gangster nexus case,” stated the NIA.
This latest action comes on the heels of a significant move by the agency on January 6, when it attached four properties owned by members of Lawrence Bishnoi’s organized terror-crime syndicate. These properties, deemed ‘proceeds of terrorism,’ were seized under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, in a coordinated operation across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
The NIA’s investigations into Bishnoi’s crime syndicate, initiated in August 2022, have unveiled the extensive reach of the gang’s mafia-style networks across multiple states. These networks have been implicated in a slew of high-profile crimes, including the murders of renowned Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, as well as religious and social leaders like Pardeep Kumar. Additionally, the gang has been involved in large-scale extortions targeting businessmen and professionals.
Furthermore, the NIA’s probes have uncovered links to foreign entities in countries such as Pakistan and Canada, as well as connections to organized terror syndicates operating from prisons within India.
In its ongoing efforts to dismantle these terror and mafia networks, the NIA has implemented targeted strategies, including the attachment and seizure of properties derived from ‘proceeds of terrorism.’
As the agency continues to pursue its investigation, today’s raids underscore its unwavering commitment to combatting the intertwined threats of terrorism and organized crime, safeguarding national security and upholding the rule of law.
