Ludhiana Police Thwarts Major Extortion Plot, Arrests 10 in Goldy Brar-Led Syndicate
In a significant breakthrough, police authorities in Ludhiana have successfully dismantled a highly sophisticated extortion syndicate that was being directed by the notorious fugitive gangster Goldy Brar. The timely intervention narrowly averted planned attacks on a prominent local jeweller and a popular restaurant, potentially saving lives and preventing further criminal escalation in the region.
Cross-Border Smuggling and Drone-Based Weapon Procurement
The investigation gained crucial momentum following the arrest of ten operatives who were linked to a cross-border smuggling ring. This criminal network had been utilizing advanced drone technology to procure high-grade weaponry from across the border. Police investigations revealed that after a recent shooting incident at a garment trader's storefront, the criminal cell had already conducted detailed reconnaissance on their next intended targets.
The identified targets included a prominent jewelry business located near Fountain Chowk and a restro-bar situated on Pakhowal Road. The syndicate had meticulously planned these attacks as part of their organized extortion activities across Punjab.
Inter-State Organized Crime Network Exposed
Ludhiana police have confirmed that this criminal group represents part of a larger inter-state organized crime racket that is being orchestrated by Goldy Brar. The investigation has revealed Brar's collaboration with Varinder Charan, who is associated with Rajasthan's Rohit Godara criminal group. This sophisticated syndicate leveraged a dangerous mix of seasoned criminals and newly recruited individuals to execute what police describe as a systematic "protection" racket across multiple districts of Punjab.
During the operation, police authorities seized twelve illegal firearms, including imported Zigana and Glock pistols that represent sophisticated military-grade hardware. These weapons had been smuggled across international borders using drone technology and were subsequently distributed through established nodes in Moga and Amritsar districts.
Jail-Based Recruitment and Criminal Hierarchy
The investigation has uncovered a disturbing pattern of jail-based recruitment within this criminal network. Two inmates currently housed at Ferozepur Jail - identified as Shubham Grover and Arshad Khan - allegedly acted as recruitment handlers. These individuals coordinated directly with Goldy Brar to supply local youth for field operations, creating a steady pipeline of new recruits for the criminal organization.
The investigation gained critical momentum following a targeted shooting incident at the shop of Himanshu Handa, a garment trader operating in Civil City. The criminal gang had reportedly demanded a substantial extortion amount of Rs 50 lakh from Handa before opening fire upon his business premises.
"The interrogation of the arrested accused revealed that the jeweler and the restro-bar were next on their target list," a senior police officer explained. "The accused had already completed their reconnaissance activities. We managed to bust this dangerous racket before they could strike again, potentially preventing serious violence."
Sprawling Criminal Hierarchy and Seized Arsenal
Police authorities have identified a sprawling criminal hierarchy that involves both local muscle and international coordination. Those currently in custody include Jatin (alias Sam), Jaspreet Singh, Shubham Grover, Jatin Kataria, Rajesh (alias Kannu), Manav, Vikaspal, Naresh Sethi, Mukul Mattu, Jatin Mattu, and Arshad Khan. Several key individuals remain at large, including Varinder Charan (who is believed to be overseas), Sandeep, Vikram Kumar, and Rajan Sidhu.
The seized arsenal, valued at approximately Rs 40 lakh, underscores the increasing militarization of gang activity in the Punjab region. Authorities have noted that while some of the ten Ludhiana youths arrested had prior criminal records, several were new entrants who had been lured into Goldy Brar's criminal orbit through these jail-based recruitment networks.
This successful police operation represents a significant blow to organized crime networks operating in the region and highlights the sophisticated methods being employed by criminal syndicates, including cross-border weapon smuggling via drones and systematic extortion activities targeting local businesses.
