NIA

 NIA action on Babbar Khalsa International, Bishnoi gang, massive raids in many states, huge amount of ammunition seized

Central investigation agency NIA on Thursday seized several illegal arms and ammunition along with incriminating documents, digital devices and cash in a large-scale operation across several states in cases related to the conspiracies and activities of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Lawrence Bishnoi crime syndicate.  -Ammunition confiscated.

A spokesperson of the investigating agency said that NIA teams conducted raids at a total of 32 places in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi along with the Union Territory of Chandigarh as part of the operation that began on Thursday morning.  The seizures during the raids conducted in connection with three cases included two pistols, two magazines and ammunition along with documents and digital devices besides cash worth Rs 4.6 lakh.  These three cases are related to the terrorist activities carried out by BKI and terrorist-gangster networks operating in the country.  BKI was banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).  “Such activities include cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition, explosives, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) etc. and material used by terrorists,” the NIA spokesperson said.  The terror network is being used by the operators of terror organizations and organized criminal gangs for bombings, targeted killings, extortion and financing of such organizations in various parts of the country.  In Thursday's action, raids were conducted at 16 locations in the case related to the activities of BKI chiefs and members.

The NIA had registered the case on July 10, 2023, taking suo motu cognizance. It had identified Harvinder Singh alias Rinda and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa as the key conspirators of the terrorist conspiracy who are involved in smuggling of arms and ammunition into Punjab. A total of seven locations were raided in the second case registered by the NIA under the provisions of UAPA against organized crime gangs being run on the instructions of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his associates, including Goldie Brar. The spokesperson said nine raids were conducted in the third case. The case pertains to several proscribed terrorist organizations and criminal gangs based in India and abroad, which have been involved in carrying out terrorism and criminal conspiracies in various parts of the country.