Global Manhunt Ends: Gangster Gurwinder Singh Afridi Deported from Ethiopia
Punjab Police capture wanted gangster Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi after a 10-month international manhunt under Operation SHAHID.
In a major breakthrough for law enforcement, the Punjab Police have successfully secured the deportation of wanted gangster Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi from Ethiopia. The capture comes after an intense 10-month international manhunt conducted under the strategic umbrella of Operation SHAHID.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the successful operation on Sunday, revealing that the mission was an intelligence-led effort initiated on January 20, 2026, following directives from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The operation culminated on November 6, 2026, when Afridi was finally deported back to India.
A Trail of Deception: Fake Passports and Global Flight
The investigation revealed a complex web of identity theft and forgery used by the gangster to evade capture. According to DGP Yadav, Afridi managed to slip out of the country by obtaining a passport under a fraudulent identity.
- The Lucknow Connection: On February 12, 2025, Afridi acquired a passport in the name of "Vijender Singh" through the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Lucknow, using a fake address in Gorakhpur.
- The UAE Escape: Using this forged document, he flew to the UAE on March 31, 2025.
- The Mexican Gambit: In a desperate attempt to hide his identity, Afridi later acquired a fake Mexican passport. He attempted to convince international authorities that he was a Mexican national, but the ruse failed, leading to his detention and subsequent deportation back to the UAE before eventually being tracked to Ethiopia.
Operation SHAHID: Coordination Across Borders
The apprehension of the fugitive was not a solo effort but a result of high-level coordination between multiple agencies. The Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) worked in tandem with the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) of Counter Intelligence, Punjab.
Crucial support was provided by central agencies and the Indian Embassy in Ethiopia. The scale of the hunt was so vast that more than seven Interpol notices were issued specifically for Gurwinder Afridi during the course of the operation.
A Criminal Record of Violence
Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi is identified as a key kingpin of the Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang. His criminal history is extensive and violent, with police records indicating his involvement in over 30 heinous criminal cases.
"He is involved in over 30 heinous cases. Following his interrogation, his involvement in several additional cases has come to light; specifically, according to our records, he is implicated in five murders," stated DGP Gaurav Yadav.
The gangster is now in the custody of the Punjab Police, where further interrogations are expected to uncover more details regarding his criminal network and pending cases.