4 operatives of Canada-based terrorist Arsh Dalla held

The Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with the Mohali police, has arrested four operatives of Canada-based terrorist Arsh Dalla and another foreign based-handler, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Monday. Three .32 calibre pistols and 16 cartridges were also seized from their possession.

Those arrested were identified as Gagandeep Singh and Navjot Singh, alias Nishu, both residents of Amloh in Fatehgarh Sahib and currently staying in a rental accommodation in Kharar; Lakhwinder Singh of Bhadson in Patiala; and Vipanpreet Singh of Faridkot.

Apart from seizing arms and ammunition, police teams also impounded the car in which they were travelling.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said the arrested persons admitted to having opened fire on a car accessories showroom in Phase 11, Mohali, on the intervening night of December 1 and 2. Their intention was to intimidate the shop owner and extort money from him, as directed by their foreign-based handler Daljit Singh, alias Ninda. The latter is a history-sheeter, who fled to the USA on a passport with fake particulars, he added.

The DGP said the module linked with Arsh Dalla planned to execute criminal activities in Punjab. All arrested persons have criminal history with a number of cases registered against them, he said.

ADGP AGTF Promod Ban said following the incident of firing on the showroom in Mohali, special teams were formed under the supervision of AIG Gurmeet Chauhan and AIG Sandeep Goel, in coordination with SSP SAS Nagar Deepak Pareek.

The teams gathered CCTV footage, technical inputs and evidence from the crime spot leading to identification of the accused, he said. The teams arrested them while travelling in a car near Focal Point, Mohali.