In a significant operation, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police apprehended several family members of the notorious terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa and his associate Yadwinder Singh. Both individuals are currently based in Canada but have been implicated in serious criminal activities back in India. The arrests include both the mothers and sisters of Lakhbir Singh Landa and Yadwinder Singh. This action follows a recent violent incident involving two motorcyclists who launched an attack on a local industrialist’s office in Jalandhar.

The incident, which culminated in gunfire at the business premises, escalated when the assailants demanded a hefty ransom. Prompted by this alarming act, the local law enforcement commenced an exhaustive investigation. Their efforts soon revealed a complex web of extortion orchestrated by Yadwinder Singh, identified as the principal conspirator behind the nefarious scheme.

On June 12th, charges were filed at the Division No. 6 police station against several previously unidentified individuals connected to a high-stakes extortion scheme. These charges were made under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, highlighting the seriousness of the offenses. They included Section 384, dealing with extortion, Section 387, which involves putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt for the purpose of extortion, and Sections 212, 216, and 216A, all related to the harboring of offenders, with 216A specifically addressing the penalty for harboring robbers.

The criminal demand at the center of this case was for Rs 2 crore from a local businessman, a situation that brought swift action from the police. Following the filing of the First Information Report (FIR), dedicated police teams were promptly formed. These teams conducted a series of coordinated raids, effectively leading to the arrest of family members associated with Yadwinder Singh and Lakhbir Singh Landa.

In the extensive crackdown on the extortion racket linked to Lakhbir Singh Landa and Yadwinder Singh, more arrests have been made. The Jalandhar police have successfully identified and arrested several family members of the two main suspects. Those apprehended include Ranjodh Singh, Lakhbir Singh’s brother-in-law; Jaspal Kaur, his sister; and Parminder Kaur, his mother. From Yadwinder Singh’s family, the authorities arrested Jaikaar Singh, his father; Baljeet Kaur, his mother; and Husanpreet Kaur, his sister.

An official stated, “During the course of the inquiry, the family members of the gangsters were found harboring the accused and were directly involved in the criminal conspiracy.” These arrests are part of a broader investigation into the extortion activities allegedly orchestrated by the Landa gang, revealing the depth of the family’s involvement in supporting criminal operations.

Additionally, on June 10th, the local law enforcement detained three associates of the gang, further tightening the net around this criminal network. The arrested associates were identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopy, Bhupinder Singh alias Bunty, and Jagroop Singh alias Joopa. According to police reports, these individuals were not only active participants in the extortion racket but were also aided by the arrested family members who provided them with shelter and firearms.

In an alarming early morning incident on June 3rd, two motorcycle riders breached the security of Kohli Sports Private Limited, located within the Leather Complex. At approximately 5:15 am, they entered through the main gate, marking the beginning of a violent confrontation. One of the assailants attempted to murder Jatinder Singh, the security guard on duty at the time, by shooting at him. This violent act was not just an isolated assault but part of a broader strategy to coerce the company's owner, who had earlier disregarded a ransom demand made through an international phone call.

The attempt on the security guard’s life was clearly aimed at instilling fear within the company’s leadership, further intensifying the gravity of the extortion efforts. The owner’s dismissal of the ransom demand might have escalated the situation, prompting the attackers to use such drastic measures to enforce their demands.

In response to this and related criminal activities, a significant police operation has been underway. Thus far, six family members of Lakhbir Singh Landa and Yadwinder Singh, along with three associates directly involved in this shooting incident, have been arrested. These arrests are part of a larger effort by the police to dismantle the network behind multiple extortion attempts, which have shaken the local business community and raised serious concerns about security and public safety.

Punjab Police Intensify Crackdown on Organized Crime

On Monday, the Punjab Police launched a significant operation against the criminal activities of gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa, executing raids across several of his suspected hideouts. Bathinda's Superintendent of Police, Narinder Singh, confirmed that the police actions led to the detention of five individuals suspected of involvement in these criminal networks.

Superintendent Narinder Singh detailed the scope of the operation in a statement to ANI, saying, "As per orders given by the Punjab DGP and as per the guidance provided by the SSP Bathinda, we are carrying out search operations. Our two main targets are firstly gangsters and secondly narcotics." He elaborated that the day began with raids on the hideouts of the gangster group Landa. Subsequently, a search operation was conducted in Beed Talab Basti, which yielded significant information about narcotics activities. "In that search operation, five suspected men have been rounded up and they are being searched," he explained.

The Superintendent added, "We have received strict orders from DGP Punjab as per which there are two things - gangsters and narcotics have to be dealt with. Against both of these, we have to initiate stringent action. This is going to be a long fight. We have to consistently fight against it and the people involved must face action."

In addition to these arrests, police forces confiscated a bullet motorcycle and a car in Bathinda, bolstering their efforts to curb the mobility and operations of criminal elements in the region.

This recent police action is part of a broader campaign led by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government. Earlier in February, Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force made headlines by arresting three associates of known terrorists Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and Lakhbir Singh alias Landa Harike.