Chandigarh. The police have started tightening the noose at the international level against the gangsters who run criminal networks in Punjab by making foreign lands a safe haven. In this series, the Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police has achieved a major success in getting the alleged key member of Doni Bal-Prabh Dasuwal gang, Gurvinder Singh alias Afridi, deported from Ethiopia and brought to India. An international campaign was conducted for about 10 months to catch this accused who was out of police custody for a long time. According to the police, the accused was living abroad and carrying out criminal activities in Punjab. His return is being considered an important step towards action against gangster networks operating abroad.
AGTF, OFTEC and central agencies prepared strategy together
To carry out this action, AGTF of Punjab Police worked in collaboration with Counter Intelligence's Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) and central agencies. According to the police, Operation Shaheed was launched to search for the accused. Under this, information related to his possible locations and activities in different countries was collected.
The investigating agencies continuously monitored his activities and tried to trace his location through technical means. The search area for the accused extended from Asia to South America and Africa. His presence was detected by exchanging information with agencies of different countries. Ultimately the process of getting him deported to Ethiopia was successful.
Wanted in 30 criminal cases, reward was Rs 5 lakh
According to police records, there are around 30 criminal cases registered against Gurvinder alias Afridi and he was wanted for a long time. A reward of Rs 5 lakh was also announced by the Punjab government for anyone providing concrete information that would lead to his arrest. It was a big challenge for the police to reach the accused who was hiding abroad.
In a major breakthrough, Anti-Gangster Task Force (#AGTF) Punjab, in coordination with the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (#OFTEC) of Counter Intelligence, Punjab with the support of Central Agencies, secures the deportation of Gurwinder alias Afridi, a key… pic.twitter.com/56e6SmmZiX
— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) November 8, 2026
Allegations of target killing and firing for ransom
During preliminary investigation, the police have found out that the accused was allegedly sitting abroad and issuing instructions to carry out criminal activities in Punjab. He is accused of target killing, firing to extort ransom and operating an organized crime network. The investigating agencies are now trying to find out who are his local associates active in Punjab and to what extent were his contacts with other gangsters sitting abroad.
Received support from Foreign Ministry and central agencies
The role of the Ministry of External Affairs and central investigative agencies was also important in this entire campaign. Various agencies worked in coordination to exchange information internationally, trace the movements of the accused and bring him back to India. Punjab Police has expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs and concerned central agencies for their cooperation in this action.
Campaign against criminals hiding abroad will continue
Punjab Police says that to root out organized crime and gangster networks in the state, criminals hiding abroad will also be brought under the ambit of the law. The police strategy is not limited to just arresting the gangsters, but also involves dismantling their local associates, economic networks and the entire system that operates criminal activities. After Afridi's return, it is expected that through his interrogation, important clues related to other gang members and criminal incidents in Punjab will be obtained.