NIA's Blitz Against Terror-Gangster-Narco Nexus: 324 Locations Raided In 6 States, 2 UTs In 'Operation Dhvast'

On Wednesday, the NIA searched 324 locations in six states and two Union Territories, in conjunction with police departments from Punjab and Haryana.

The aim was to crack down on an alleged nexus between international gangsters, drug smugglers, and terrorist groups operating out of foreign countries, such as Pakistan and Canada.

NIA seized a massive collection of weaponry, ammunition, and incriminating items during their search operation. Agency detained multiple suspects during 'Operation Dhvast' raids, as stated by the NIA.

The NIA spokesperson stated that raids were carried out in several states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Chandigarh.

The searches began at 5.30 am, and 129 locations were searched by the NIA. The Punjab police searched 143 places across 17 districts, while Haryana police raided 52 locations across 10 districts.

The NIA spokesperson stated that raids were carried out in several Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Chandigarh.

“The focus of today’s raids was on weapon suppliers, financiers, logistic providers and hawala operators associated with the hardcore gangs working with drug smugglers and terrorists based in other countries such as Pakistan and Canada,” the officer said, reported The Indian Express.

As part of an ongoing crackdown, this operation marked the sixth instance. In February, the NIA conducted raids at the residences of individuals believed to be in contact with gangsters in Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh. The agency has already submitted two chargesheets in the three cases.

Raid At Udham Singh Nagar District For Khalistan Terror-gangster Nexus

The NIA conducted a raid at a house in Bajpur tehsil, Udham Singh Nagar district, in connection with a case involving drug smugglers, gangsters and terrorists.

At 6am, a NIA team searched the home of Gurvinder Singh, a Canadian resident. Though Singh was not present, officials questioned his family members about the Khalistan terror-gangster network, informed a police officer, reports Hindustan Times.

As per the Police officers, in the past, there have been instances of people in Udham Singh Nagar showing support for Khalistani separatist groups.

Udham Singh Nagar district has a considerable Sikh community who migrated during Partition, and many others relocated in the 1980s and 90s when terrorism was at its peak in Punjab.

In March, a man in the district was charged for supposedly endorsing Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh in a social media post.

Numerous gangsters and terrorists from Punjab have fled to the district after committing crimes, according to a police officer.

As per the police, while investigating the murder of a mining trader in Kashipur in April this year, they received information that the murder was ordered by Arshdeep Dhalla, who is based in Canada and is the leader of a group known as Khalistan Tiger Force.