Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant development in Punjab’s campaign against organised crime, fugitive gangster Gurwinder, alias Afridi, has been deported from Ethiopia following a prolonged international tracking operation. The accused, described by police as the alleged kingpin of the Doni Bal-Prabh Dasuwal gang, is wanted in around 30 criminal cases.
The Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) coordinated the operation with the Counter Intelligence wing’s Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) and several central agencies. The operation was conducted under the name ‘Operation Shaheed’, with efforts to locate Gurwinder continuing for nearly 10 months.
Investigators suspect that Gurwinder had been managing criminal operations in Punjab while staying overseas. These activities allegedly included arranging targeted attacks, shootings linked to extortion and other organised crimes. A reward of ₹5 lakh had been announced by the Punjab government for information leading to his arrest.
Locating the fugitive required an extensive search spanning multiple international jurisdictions. According to the police, intelligence inputs were collected from countries across Asia, South America and Africa, while surveillance and technical monitoring were used to follow his movements.
The Ministry of External Affairs and central agencies played an important role in supporting the operation and coordinating the international effort. The Punjab Police has acknowledged their contribution to securing Gurwinder’s deportation.
The police said action against overseas-based gangsters and their networks would remain a priority, with continued efforts to identify criminal operations, bring wanted suspects to justice and strengthen law and order in Punjab.
