In a significant crackdown on organised crime, the Amritsar Police have exposed a disturbing new pattern where gangsters from Punjab are recruiting young men from other states to execute their criminal activities. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar revealed this development on Thursday following a major operation.
Encounter Leads to Arrest of Teen from Bihar
The operation reached a critical point when police arrested an 18-year-old youth, Aditya Raj from Nalanda in Bihar, after an encounter in the Meerakot area of Amritsar. According to Commissioner Bhullar, Raj was apprehended as part of an extensive operation launched on Wednesday. The police action was initiated based on specific intelligence about an organised extortion module operating under the direction of notorious gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.
Module Linked to Foreign-Based Gangsters
Investigations have further revealed that this extortion module was allegedly taking instructions from gangsters based abroad, identified as Amrit Dalm and Keshav Shivala. This international connection highlights the expanding and sophisticated network of crime syndicates targeting the region.
The police operation began in earnest on Wednesday. A team stationed near Putlighar Chowk conducted a raid close to the Pimpti Guest House. This initial action led to the arrest of three individuals: Vikram Singh alias Mamman, Manpreet Singh alias Bura, and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi. From their possession, the police recovered a car, two swords, and a datar (a traditional sharp-edged weapon).
Chase and Shootout in Meerakot
However, two key accused, Kulwinder Singh alias Billa and Aditya Raj, managed to evade capture during the initial raid. Acting swiftly on fresh intelligence, the police tracked them down to Meerakot. When officers attempted to intercept them, a chase ensued. During the pursuit, Aditya Raj allegedly opened fire at the police team. The police retaliated in self-defence, shooting Raj in the leg and subsequently arresting him and his accomplice.
Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar emphasized that this case underscores a worrying shift in criminal tactics. Gangsters, facing increased heat from law enforcement against local recruits, are now exploiting vulnerable youngsters from economically weaker states like Bihar, luring them with money to carry out dangerous tasks. This trend poses a new challenge for police forces, requiring coordinated inter-state efforts to dismantle such networks at their roots.
