Punjab Police Nab 2 Arsh Dalla Gang Shooters in Gurpreet Singh Murder
In a significant breakthrough, Punjab Police arrested two main suspects involved in the murder of Kotkapura-based Sikh activist Gurpreet Singh, known as Bhodi. The accused, identified as Navjot Singh, 26, and Anmolpreet Singh, 23, were apprehended on Saturday from a lounge inside Swaraj Enclave in Kharar. Both men, hailing from Barnala, are alleged members of the notorious Arsh Dalla gang and were directly involved in the targeted assassination of Singh last month.
The arrests were the result of a meticulously planned joint operation by Punjab’s state special operation cell, Faridkot police, and anti-gangster task force (AGTF) officers. This crackdown marks a key development in Punjab Police’s ongoing efforts to dismantle organized crime and gang networks operating within and beyond the state borders.
A senior police official involved in the operation disclosed that the two suspects arrived in Kharar on Friday evening. Acting on intelligence, Punjab Police orchestrated a coordinated arrest on Saturday, successfully apprehending the duo without resistance. According to officials, the police had been closely tracking the movements of Navjot and Anmolpreet since last month when Faridkot police released sketches of the suspects following Gurpreet Singh’s murder on October 9.
Gurpreet Singh, a member of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s ‘Waris Punjab De’ movement, was gunned down by four unidentified assailants on motorcycles in the Hari Nau village of Faridkot district. The attack occurred as Singh was returning from a gurdwara, sparking a state-wide outcry and intense demands for justice from the Sikh community.
Background of the Murder and Allegations Against Amritpal Singh
Punjab Police’s investigation revealed a complex web of connections among individuals associated with the Sikh activist. According to officials, the murder was orchestrated by Arsh Dalla, an overseas gangster with ties to organized criminal networks in Punjab. Police claim that the act was allegedly carried out at the behest of Amritpal Singh, a leader associated with the Sikh movement and currently held in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). This high-profile detention reflects the perceived threat Amritpal Singh posed to public order and national security.
The Faridkot police filed an FIR on October 10, 2024, a day after the murder. The FIR invoked serious charges under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 103 (murder), Section 126 (wrongful restraint), Section 3 (criminal conspiracy), and Section 25 of the Arms Act. Notably, the police later added Section 111, an organized crime charge, reflecting the complexity and coordinated nature of the crime.
Connections to Arsh Dalla Gang and Ongoing Investigations
Arsh Dalla, believed to be operating from overseas, allegedly masterminded the murder of Gurpreet Singh. Police investigation suggests that the crime was part of a larger orchestrated plan, with Dalla directing operatives in Punjab from abroad. The two arrested shooters are reportedly part of a larger network involving various operatives handling logistics, reconnaissance, and execution.
Last month, the Punjab Police also apprehended three other members of the Arsh Dalla gang believed to be involved in the reconnaissance and planning phases of the murder. The arrested individuals, Bilal Ahmed (alias Fauji), Guramardeep Singh (alias Pontu), and Arshdeep Singh (alias Jhandu), were responsible for gathering intelligence on Gurpreet Singh’s daily routine and passing this information to their handlers, who then relayed it to the shooter module. These suspects were reportedly coordinated by Karamveer Singh (alias Gora), another Canada-based associate of Arsh Dalla.
DGP Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, previously disclosed that Gurpreet Singh’s murder was not an isolated incident but part of a broader campaign by organized criminal syndicates to create fear and chaos in the region. The involvement of overseas gangsters in domestic crimes has prompted the Punjab Police to seek central government intervention, given the transnational nature of the threat.
Gurpreet Singh’s Background and the ‘Waris Punjab De’ Movement
Gurpreet Singh’s association with the Sikh activist group ‘Waris Punjab De’ initially gained attention when he aligned with its founder, Deep Sidhu, a prominent Sikh activist who passed away in a tragic accident. The group, focused on advocating for Sikh rights and justice, gained significant support across Punjab. Following Sidhu’s passing, Amritpal Singh assumed leadership of the movement, but over time, ideological differences reportedly led to a split between him and Gurpreet Singh.
Police officials revealed that Gurpreet Singh had become increasingly vocal against Amritpal Singh’s leadership, even criticizing him on social media platforms. This public critique is suspected to have added to the motives behind his assassination, as authorities suggest that the gang sought to eliminate him as a perceived threat to their authority and influence.
The targeted killing of Gurpreet Singh shocked the local community and raised alarms regarding the influence of gang networks in Punjab. Concerns have intensified over gangsters’ capabilities to coordinate assassinations from abroad, implicating major names linked to organized crime and even individuals within the religious and activist spheres.
Punjab Police’s recent arrests have not only alleviated public concerns but also demonstrated a continued commitment to tackling organized crime. This operation adds to the series of successful arrests and takedowns of criminal modules operating in Punjab and neighboring states.
The involvement of anti-gangster task forces and the state special operation cell signifies Punjab’s heightened approach to combating gangsterism and gang-related violence. The arrests mark a pivotal step forward in dismantling the Arsh Dalla network within Punjab, as Punjab Police work closely with central agencies to counter these transnational crime syndicates.
Following their arrest, Navjot Singh and Anmolpreet Singh are expected to face extensive questioning by Punjab Police. Authorities are hopeful that this will yield more information about the broader network, providing insights that could lead to additional arrests of gang members and associates operating both in Punjab and overseas.
In response to these escalating incidents, Punjab Police and central agencies are expected to strengthen efforts to curb transnational crime syndicates and bolster intelligence-sharing mechanisms with international agencies. The legal proceedings against the accused and their associates are anticipated to be closely watched, as they unfold against the backdrop of increasing concerns about the safety and security of activists and public figures in Punjab.
The arrest of Navjot Singh and Anmolpreet Singh marks a significant breakthrough in Punjab’s fight against organized crime, especially as it relates to the murder of high-profile Sikh activist Gurpreet Singh. With ongoing investigations, police aim to further unravel the Arsh Dalla network, sending a strong message against organized crime syndicates operating both domestically and internationally. This case exemplifies Punjab Police’s determination to restore public safety and uphold justice amidst rising concerns over the reach of gang networks in the region.
The arrests not only underscore the seriousness of the state’s anti-gangster efforts but also highlight the importance of continued collaboration between state and central agencies to combat organized crime in Punjab.
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