NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted a massive multi-state crackdown on the terrorists-gangsters-drug smugglers nexus, detaining several suspects and seizing weapons, ammunition, digital devices, and incriminating material from 53 locations across six states and Chandigarh.
The raids were conducted in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh, and targeted weapon suppliers, financiers, and logistics providers associated with various hardcore gangs and their operatives. The NIA said that these gangs are working with drug smugglers and terrorists based out of other countries, including Pakistan, UAE, Canada, and Portugal.
The NIA said that the raids were aimed at dismantling the terror-gangster-drug smuggler nexus and foiling their plans to carry out targeted killings, terror funding, and other criminal activities. The agency also said that the raids were part of its ongoing investigation into five cases registered since August 2022.
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NIA investigations have revealed that the conspiracies under investigation were being hatched in jails of different states and were being executed by an organized network of operatives based abroad. Notable among such conspiracies were the sensational killing of Maharashtra builder Sanjay Biyani, mining trader Mehal Singh, and international Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambia in Punjab last year.
The NIA said that many of the criminals and gangsters who were earlier leading gangs in India have fled abroad in recent years and are now pursuing their terror and violence related activities from there. These criminals have been engaged in planning and commissioning serious crimes, including contract and revenge killings, in association with criminals lodged in jails across India. These groups have been carrying out targeted killings and raising funds for attacks and other nefarious activities through smuggling of drugs and weapons, hawala, and extortions.
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The NIA had earlier conducted similar raids at over 370 locations, leading to the seizure of 38 arms, including 4 lethal weapons, along with 1129 rounds of ammunition. The NIA has so far frozen 87 bank accounts and attached 13 properties, besides seizing 331 digital devices, 418 documents, and two vehicles.
Two absconders have been declared as designated individual terrorists, and 15 accused declared as proclaimed offenders and Red Corner Notices (RCNs) issued against 9 others as a result of NIA’s concerted efforts to destroy and dismantle the deadly nexus between terrorists like Dalla and dreaded gangsters and drug smugglers.
The NIA’s crackdown on the terror-gangster-drug nexus is a welcome step and shows the agency’s commitment to combating organized crime and terrorism. The raids have sent a strong message to these criminals that they will not be able to operate with impunity.