Ethiopia Deports Gang Kingpin: Punjab Police Nab Gurwinder Afridi
Punjab Police secure the deportation of Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang kingpin Gurwinder alias Afridi from Ethiopia after a 10-month manhunt.
In a massive blow to organized crime networks operating from foreign shores, the Punjab Police have successfully secured the deportation of Gurwinder, alias Afridi, a high-ranking kingpin of the notorious Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang. The fugitive was brought back from Ethiopia following a relentless 10-month international manhunt conducted under the strategic umbrella of Operation SHAHID.
A Global Manhunt: Operation SHAHID
The arrest was the result of a complex, multi-continental operation. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav revealed that the pursuit of Gurwinder involved intensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tracking that spanned across several countries in Asia, South America, and Africa.
The operation was a collaborative effort involving several specialized units:
- The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police.
- The Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) of Counter Intelligence, Punjab.
- Various central agencies and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Directing Terror from Abroad
Preliminary investigations have painted a chilling picture of Gurwinder's activities while he was hiding overseas. According to the DGP, the accused was not merely a fugitive but an active commander of criminal operations within Punjab. He is alleged to have been directing:
- Targeted killings designed to instill fear and eliminate rivals.
- Extortion-related firing incidents to intimidate businesses and individuals.
- Various other organized criminal activities aimed at destabilizing peace in the region.
The gravity of his crimes was such that the Punjab Government had previously placed a bounty of ₹5 lakh on any information leading to his apprehension.
Inter-Agency Cooperation
DGP Gaurav Yadav expressed his gratitude toward the Ministry of External Affairs and other central agencies, noting that this breakthrough was only possible through seamless international cooperation. He emphasized that the Punjab Police remain steadfast in their commitment to dismantling gangster networks and ensuring the security of the state.
"Punjab Police remains committed to dismantling gangster networks, preventing organised crime and ensuring peace and security across Punjab," stated DGP Gaurav Yadav.