wo key associates of gangster Arsh Dala arrested

The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Mohali, claims to have averted a major target killing incident by arresting two operatives of Canada-based gangster Arshdeep Singh, alias Arsh Dala, from Moga.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Kawaljit Singh, alias Kaka, a resident of Mohalla Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Ward Kamoa, Dharamkot, Moga district, and Navdeep Singh, alias Honey, a resident of Badduwal in Moga district. During the operation, a .30 bore pistol, along with nine live rounds, were seized from the accused.

Ravjot Grewal, AIG, State Special Operation Cell, Mohali, said they got a tip-off that Canada-based gangster Arsh Dalla was planning to kill members of his rival gang and in this motive, his associates Kawaljit Singh and Navdeep Singh were helping him, who had arms and ammunition provided to them by Arsh Dala. “Arsh Dala had already provided them details of the target. A case in this regard was registered under Sections 25 and 25(7) of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at PS SSOC, Mohali on June 13. The SSOC raided and arrested both 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 on a high-profile murder. “A few days ago, he was provided a weapon and ammunition by Arsh Dala for eliminating a Faridkot-based individual.

While briefing Kawaljit about the assassination, Dala instructed him to kill even family members, including the target present in the target house. Kawaljit Singh carries past criminal record, with cases under the NDPS Act registered against him. The second accused arrested Navdeep Singh was involved in providing logistical support to Kawaljit for carrying out the operation. Kawaljit Singh had also recruited other associates with him to assist in the execution of the killing whose identification is under process. Moreover, Arsh Dala had arranged an “unknown associate", who had already conducted reconnaissance (recce) of the target to coordinate with Kawaljit for providing on-ground assistance at the time of the attack. The conspiracy was at the stage of execution," Grewal said. The police have obtained four-day remand of the arrested.

Punjab