The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally pressed charges against two alleged shooters from Punjab in connection with a brazen early morning shooting at a hotel in Rajasthan's Neemrana area last year. The agency has directly linked the attack to the network of wanted Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh, widely known as Arsh Dala.
Formal Charges Filed in Jaipur Court
On Saturday, the federal anti-terror agency submitted a detailed chargesheet before a special court in Jaipur. The document names Puneet and Narinder Lalli as the accused who carried out the armed assault. Both individuals were apprehended by authorities some time after the incident. The NIA has invoked serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against them.
Details of the September 2024 Attack
The violent episode unfolded at the Hotel Highway King in Neemrana, located in the Kotputli–Behror district, on September 8, 2024. According to the investigative findings, two armed men arrived at the hotel premises at approximately 6:10 am. They then proceeded to open indiscriminate fire using a gun and a pistol.
The shooting spree resulted in significant property damage, with window panes shattered and walls marked by bullet holes. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported from the attack. Before making their escape, the assailants left behind a chilling note—an extortion slip demanding a hefty sum of Rs 5 crore from the hotel owners.
Terror-Gangster Syndicate Behind the Assault
The NIA's investigation reveals a complex nexus behind the attack. The agency states that the firing was executed by a terrorist-gangster syndicate. This syndicate allegedly involves the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), led by Arsh Dala, and the organized criminal network known as the Bambiah gang.
While Puneet and Narinder Lalli are identified as the on-ground shooters, the NIA chargesheet claims the attack was planned by other syndicate members, namely Dinesh Gandhi and Saurabh Kataria. The entire operation was conducted with the direct backing and support of this syndicate.
The probe further established that the accused used prohibited weapons to carry out the strike and issued threats on behalf of the larger network. They were reportedly receiving a steady stream of funds, shelter, and weapons to promote and further the objectives of the KTF.
This chargesheet marks a critical step in the legal process, formally detailing the allegations and the suspected terror links of a crime that had shaken the industrial town of Neemrana.
