Gangster-terror link: National Investigation Agency carries out raids across India

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday (February 21) conductedraids across the country at more than 70 locations with connections to gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi, Neeraj Bawana and their aides. The raids were carried out in and around Delhi and in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh. The officials began the raids early on Tuesday and they were ongoing at the time of publishing of this story.

Lawrence Bishnoi was placed under arrest by the NIA on November 24, 2022 in connection with a case related to conspiracy hatched by terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers` syndicate to create terror among the public.

His arrest was made when he was lodged in the Bhatinda Jail.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The case pertains to conspiracy hatched by the members of criminal syndicate based in India and abroad, to raise funds, recruit youth to carry out terrorist acts in Delhi and other parts of the country to execute spectacular heinous crimes, including targeted killings of prominent persons, with an intention to strike terror in the minds of the people of the country.

The case was initially registered at police station Special Cell, Delhi Police on August 4, 2022 and later on the probe of the matter was taken over by the NIA.

"We have learnt that the terrorist-gangster-drug smugglers syndicate led by Bishnoi was involved in many targeted killings and extortion from businessmen, professionals, including doctors.

This had created a widespread scare and terror among the public at large. All such criminal acts were not isolated local incidents but part of a deep-rooted conspiracy amongst the terrorists, gangsters, drug smuggling cartels and networks, operating from both within and outside the country," the NIA had earlier said.

The NIA found that most of the conspiracies were hatched from inside the jail by Bishnoi and were executed by an organised network of operatives based in India and abroad. Pertinently, the arrested gangster is involved and wanted in many cases, including the conspiracy to carry out targeted and sensational killings in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi for more than a decade.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE