Punjab: Two key associates of gangster Arsh Dala arrested

Punjab: The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Mohali claimed to have averted a major target killing incident by arresting two henchmen of Canada-based gangster Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala from Moga. The arrested persons have been identified as Kawaljit Singh alias Kaka, resident of Mohalla Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Ward Kamoa, Dharamkot, Moga district and Navdeep Singh alias Honey, resident of Badduwal, Moga district. During the operation, a .30 bore pistol and nine live rounds were seized from the accused. AIG Ravjot Grewal of State Special Operation Cell, Mohali, said that they had received information that Canada-based gangster Arsh Dala was planning to kill members of his rival gang and in this purpose, he was being assisted by his associates Kawaljit Singh and Navdeep Singh, who were provided arms and ammunition by Arsh Dala. “Arsh Dala had already given him information about the target. In this regard, a case was registered on June 13 at PS SSOC, Mohali under Sections 25 and 25(7) of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS).

The SSOC conducted a raid and arrested both the accused from Dharamkot, Moga on June 13. During interrogation, Kawaljit Singh revealed that he was in direct contact with Arsh Dala and was receiving instructions from him for a high-profile murder. “A few days ago, he was provided a weapon and ammunition by Arsh Dala to eliminate a person from Faridkot. While giving information about the murder to Kawaljit, Dala directed him to commit the murder including the family members present in the house of the target. Kawaljit Singh has a previous criminal record, cases under the NDPS Act are registered against him. The second arrested accused Navdeep Singh was involved in providing logistical support to Kawaljit to carry out the operation. Kawaljit Singh had also recruited other associates to assist him in carrying out the killing, whose identification is under process. Besides, Arsh Dala had arranged for an “unknown associate” who had already carried out reconnaissance of the target to coordinate with Kawaljit to provide ground support at the time of the attack and the plot was at the stage of execution,” Grewal said. Police have secured four-day remand of those arrested.