In a significant achievement, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police has dismantled a terror module operated by foreign-based mastermind Iqbalpreet Singh, also known as Buchi. Four members of the module, including key operative Gurwinder Singh alias Shera, have been arrested, announced Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday.
DGP Yadav detailed that Gurwinder Shera, who was out on bail at the time, had previously been apprehended by the AGTF in 2022. Shera was arrested for conspiring to carry out targeted killings under Buchi’s directives, for which he was paid Rs 1.50 lakh.
The other three arrested individuals have been identified as Gurpreet Singh of Patiala, and Ranjit Singh alias Sonu and Jagjit Singh alias Jashan, both from Patti in Tarn Taran. The police recovered three pistols and 13 live cartridges from their possession, along with impounding their Mahindra Scorpio car.
Acting on reliable intelligence, AGTF teams under the supervision of ADGP Promod Ban established a checkpoint at Liberty Chowk in Rajpura. The operation, spearheaded by AIGs Gurmeet Singh Chauhan and Sandeep Goel, and led by DSP Bikramjit Singh Brar, resulted in the successful arrest of the suspects while they were travelling in their Mahindra Scorpio.
During interrogation, Gurwinder Shera disclosed that Iqbalpreet Buchi had reorganized their gang with plans to perpetrate significant crimes in Punjab, aiming to disrupt the peace and harmony of the border state.
Notably, Iqbalpreet Buchi had connections with deceased terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and was a close associate of Ramandeep Bagga alias Canadian. Bagga, implicated in seven targeted killings between 2016-2017, is currently facing 11 criminal cases involving charges of murder, attempted murder, and violations of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Arms Act. He is presently incarcerated in Tihar Jail.
AIG Sandeep Goel shared that investigations are ongoing to determine the involvement of additional members in this radicalized group, indicating that more arrests are anticipated.
A case has been registered under FIR No. 21 dated 13/05/2024, under section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 25(6)(7) of the Arms Act at the Police Station State Crime in SAS Nagar.
