New Delhi, Sep 12, 2022, By Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Sep 12: The NIA conducted raids at various places in Delhi-NCR, Haryana and Punjab on Monday in connection with suspected terror gangs linked to the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.

 

The raids in Delhi, Punjab and other locations are part of the investigation cases registered by Delhi Police (Special Cell) against Sidhu Moosewala’s murder accused Lawrence Bishnoi and his rival gang of Davinder Bambiha.

 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out raids across 50 locations in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab in connection with suspected terror gangs linked to the killing of the Punjabi singer in Punjab on May 29.

 

Recently, the cases were transferred from the Delhi Police to the NIA for further investigation as sections of UAPA were invoked in these cases.

 

The central agency is conducting raids in around 25 locations in Punjab including two in Chandigarh. In Delhi, the raids were done at the residence of Delhi’s prominent gangsters Tillu Tajpuriya, Neeraj Bawana and other criminals.

 

The sleuths also raided locations linked to Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gang and Bambiha gang in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.

 

The gangsters, linked to Moosewala’s murder, used cyber space and social media to publicise their act and create fear in public.

 

“These criminals were raising funds through extortions, criminal intimidation and smuggling. The money was also used to finance terror activities and recruit impressionable youth in their gangs in order to escalate such activities," they said.

 

The NIA has also conducted raids at dreaded gangster Neeraj Bawana’s house in Delhi’s Bawana Gaon. Several other properties linked to Bawania are also under scanner.

 

Phones and other communication devices of Neeraj’s family members have been seized.

 

The raids come as the Union Home Ministry took a serious note of the emerging nexus between the operatives of terrorist outfits and members of organised gangs. 

 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah wanted the NIA to act as these gangs posed danger to national security, sources said.

 

Shah ordered the NIA and the Delhi Police to carry out intelligence-led and coordinated operations against such terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers. 

 

The MHA also wanted a crackdown on drug smugglers based in Pakistan and other foreign countries.