In a significant blow to organized crime, the Haryana Police's Special Task Force (STF) successfully deported five fugitive gangsters to India in 2025. This international crackdown is credited with causing a nearly 30% decline in extortion cases across the state compared to the previous year.
International Manhunt Nets Key Fugitives
The STF's coordinated global efforts led to the return of five high-profile criminals from different corners of the world. The deported gangsters were identified as Joginder Gyong, brought back from the Philippines on February 2; Naresh Narsi, deported from Armenia on March 4; Kunal Joon, returned from Kazakhstan on April 27; Mainpal Badli, deported from Cambodia on September 2; and Lakhwinder Lakha, who was brought back from the United States on October 25.
According to an STF officer, these deportations, combined with the arrests of their ground-level operatives within Haryana, effectively disrupted the overseas command and control of extortion networks. The data, shared by the STF on Tuesday, underscores the impact of targeting the leadership based abroad.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy Against Crime
The STF employed a wide array of legal and international tools to pursue criminals operating from foreign soil. In 2025 alone, the force issued 63 look out circulars (LOCs), secured 20 Interpol Red Corner Notices, sent 33 Interpol references, moved 6 provisional arrest requests, and got 41 passports revoked.
The year's operations led to the arrest of 804 accused. This included 118 most-wanted criminals carrying rewards, 470 gangsters or gang members, and 216 individuals involved in heinous crimes. In 20 separate operations, police teams faced fire from criminals, leading to four criminals being neutralized and 26 injured.
Those neutralized included shooters linked to several high-profile cases:
- The murder of BSP leader Harbilas in Ambala's Naraingarh.
- A triple murder at Kheri Lakha Singh in Yamuna Nagar.
- The murder of liquor contractor Shantanu at Shahbad in Kurukshetra.
- Those involved in firing at the house of Bollywood actor Disha Patani.
Massive Haul of Arms and Narcotics
The STF's crackdown also resulted in significant seizures of illegal weapons and drugs. Arms and ammunition were recovered in 90 cases, including:
- 76 pistols, 2 revolvers, and 112 country-made pistols.
- 14 magazines, 815 cartridges, 2 carbines, and a double-barrel gun.
- 5 hand grenades and 1 improvised explosive device (IED).
Under the NDPS Act, nine cases were registered, leading to the recovery of 29kg of opium, 35g of heroin, 458kg of ganja, and 2,345kg of poppy husk.
Combating Gang Culture and Terror Links
The STF also took direct action against the glorification of gangster culture online. The force examined digital content and issued notices to various platforms. Action was taken against 67 songs across YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and JioSaavn, leading to the removal of objectionable content. The STF also held meetings with Haryanvi singers and lyricists to discourage such material.
On the counter-terrorism front, the STF detected several cases linked to terror-gangster modules. Key incidents included:
On March 2, STF Haryana and ATS Gujarat seized two hand grenades from Abdul Rehman alias Abu Bakar, who was allegedly planning an attack on the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
On June 13, a live hand grenade was seized in Karnal from two criminals, Deepender and Adamya. Investigation revealed it was supplied by US-based gangster Bhanu Rana, who was operating under Khalistan-affiliated factions (KAF). The grenade was intended for a potential attack on a police post or a senior political leader.
Following a grenade attack on the women's police station in Sirsa on November 25, a technical and financial investigation was launched. In a related Karnal case, STF arrested Amar Singh and recovered a foreign-made Glock pistol, two live hand grenades, and an IED.
The STF stated that its 2025 operations were comprehensively focused on dismantling foreign-based gangster networks, organized crime, terror-linked modules, and recovering illegal arms and narcotics across Haryana.
