The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police has apprehended an operative linked to a foreign-based gangster network in Bathinda, recovering an illegal country-made pistol and live cartridges. The arrested individual, identified as Jasdeep Singh alias Jassa, a 25-year-old resident of Bir Behman village, was allegedly acting on the instructions of a gangster operating from abroad and was reportedly planning a significant criminal act within the state.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the arrest on Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing efforts to dismantle organized crime networks with international affiliations. The recovery of the .32-bore pistol and two live cartridges from Jasdeep Singh’s possession marks a significant step in preventing potential violence.
According to the DGP, a preliminary investigation suggests that the accused had procured the illegal weapon with the explicit aim of executing a high-profile crime. Further investigations are currently underway to meticulously trace the complete network, including the individuals who supplied the weapon and any potential accomplices. The police are working to establish the forward and backward linkages of the operation to dismantle the entire syndicate.
The apprehension occurred during a routine patrol by AGTF police teams near the boundary wall of Rajindra College in Bathinda. Officials observed Jasdeep Singh standing in a manner that appeared suspicious. Upon noticing the approaching police vehicle, he exhibited signs of nervousness, prompting the AGTF team to detain him for questioning.
During the immediate inquiry, the individual identified himself as Jasdeep alias Jassa. A subsequent search led to the discovery of the .32-bore pistol and two live cartridges concealed on his person. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), AGTF, Promod Ban, stated that Jasdeep Singh possesses a prior criminal history and has been implicated in several criminal cases previously registered under the Arms Act, alongside other illicit activities.
A fresh case has been registered against the accused at the Kotwali police station in Bathinda under Section 25 of the Arms Act. This development underscores the Punjab Police’s sustained campaign against organized crime and the proliferation of illegal weapons within the state. The AGTF has been instrumental in several high-profile arrests and seizures aimed at enhancing public safety and curbing gangster activities.
The operation in Bathinda is part of a broader strategy by the Punjab Police to proactively identify and neutralize threats posed by criminal elements operating both within and outside the country. The force has been intensifying its surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations to counter the influence of foreign-based gangsters who often use proxies to carry out criminal activities in Punjab. The recovery of the weapon is crucial as it prevents its potential use in serious crimes.
Authorities have emphasized that all individuals involved in such illegal activities will be brought to justice. The investigation is expected to reveal more details about the modus operandi of the foreign-based gangster network and its operations within Punjab. The police remain committed to ensuring a crime-free state by targeting the root causes of such criminal enterprises and disrupting their financial and operational capabilities.
The Chenab Times News Desk