NIA Raids 16 Places in Khalistan-Linked Organized Crime Probe

On Tuesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at 16 sites in Punjab and Rajasthan as part of its ongoing probe into the nexus between Khalistan elements and organized crime. Six individuals were detained for questioning. The operation was a component of the NIA’s continuing inquiries into five cases filed since August 2022.

The raids are underway at these 16 locations, which include 14 in Punjab and two in Rajasthan. The NIA’s ongoing investigations aim to disrupt the connections between terrorists, gangsters, and drug smugglers. The agency is focused on dismantling the infrastructure of this nexus, including its funding channels.

The agency has been conducting search operations since early Tuesday morning in close coordination with state police forces. The raids are being carried out based on specific intelligence inputs. The locations being searched include the residences and other premises of individuals suspected of having ties to Khalistani supporters and those involved in criminal networks.

According to available information, among those involved is Gurvinder Singh, also known as Neeta, who reportedly holds the position of block president in the Aam Aadmi Party. It is reported that the NIA team confiscated several documents during the raid.

“NIA is conducting searches in ongoing investigations against Khalistan and organised criminal nexus at 14 locations in Punjab and 2 locations in Rajasthan. Subsequent to searches, six people are being examined for their involvement in terrorist activities,” said the NIA.

The six individuals accused have allegedly participated in terrorist activities and are in close contact with some fugitive designated Khalistani terrorists through social media networks and other means of communication.

The action follows nearly two months after NIA Director General Dinkar Gupta addressed various issues openly during his December 2023 meeting with FBI Director Christopher A. Wray. Gupta discussed the activities of terrorist-organized criminal networks, ongoing investigations into the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, as well as various cyber-terrorism and cyber-crime investigations conducted in the meeting.

Gupta emphasized the growing nexus between terrorist groups and elements of organized crime syndicates, which was extending to the United States as well.