30-Year Manhunt Ends: UP ATS Nabs Khalistan Commando Force Operative Mangat Singh From Amritsar

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) along with the Ghaziabad Commissionerate Police have arrested a long-absconding member of the banned Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), bringing end to a 30 year manhunt.

The accused, Mangat Singh alias Manga, resident of village Timmowal, District Amritsar, Punjab, was apprehended from his hometown on 23 April in the joint operation.

"Through technical, physical, and intelligence-based surveillance... it was discovered that the accused Mangat Singh alias Manga... was currently residing in village Timmowal," read the ATS statement.

He is a close associate of slain KCF chief Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala and the brother of former KCF head Sangat Singh alias Gursharan Singh, who was killed in an encounter in 1990.

Mangat Singh was arrested in connection with multiple serious cases, under Section 307 IPC pertaining to the attempt to murder and TADA Act, and under the Arms Act, for which he was arrested on 11 March 1993 and subsequently sent to jail.

Singh disappeared after 16 August 1995, post his bail, and remained underground despite numerous legal summons and arrest warrants for 30 years.

Other charges against him registered at Sahibabad Police Station were under IPC Sections 392, 411, 384, and 506, relating respectively to robbery, dishonestly receiving stolen property, extortion, and criminal intimidation.

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