Gangster-terror nexus case: NIA conducts raids at 13 places

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried out searches at 13 places in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) in its ongoing case to dismantle gangster-terror nexus.The places raided by the NIA included Fazilka, Taran Taran, Ludhiana, Sangrur and Mohali, districts of Punjab; Yamuna Nagar district of Haryana; Sikar district of Rajasthan; and Outer North District of Delhi and NCR to dismantle and disrupt the emerging nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers or traffickers based in India and abroad in two cases registered in August 2022.This is the third round of raids by the NIA in the case, and searches are part of the crackdown against organised criminal syndicates and networks, top gangsters, their criminal and business associates based in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and arms suppliers based in Rajasthan and Delhi.Searches were conducted at the houses or premises of Kaushal Chaudhary of Gurugram in Haryana, Vishal Maan of Prahalpur in Delhi, Binny Gurjar of Sangrur in Punjab, Ravi Rajgarh of Ludhiana in Punjab and their associates.During the searches, the NIA said in a statement, it seized incriminating materials, including various types of contraband along with ammunition.”Investigations will continue to dismantle such terror networks as well as their funding and support infrastructure. Preliminary investigations have revealed that these gangs were carrying out targeted killings and were also raising funds to carry out such criminal activities through smuggling of drugs and weapons,” said the NIA in the statement.”The recent sensational crimes and extortion calls by criminal syndicates and gangsters to businessmen, professionals, including doctors etc., had created a widespread scare among the people. These gangs were using cyber-space to publicize these crimes to create terror among the public at large.”Investigations have also revealed that such criminal acts were not isolated local incidents but there was a deep-rooted conspiracy amongst terrorists, gangsters and drug smuggling cartels and networks, who were operating from both within and outside the country, the anti-terror agency said.