FARIDKOT, May 22 — Two close aides of foreign-based gangster Arsh Dala were arrested in a late-night joint operation conducted by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and Faridkot police near Dana Mandi Chowk in Sadiq on Tuesday.
The accused — Vishal Singh of Muktsar and Onkar Singh of Gamewala village in Ferozepur district — were apprehended while allegedly plotting a targeted killing. Police recovered two .30 bore pistols and six live cartridges from their possession.
“Vishal Singh had recently come out on bail and was conspiring to eliminate a rival gang member,” said Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Pragya Jain. “He was in touch with handlers based abroad and waiting for a green signal to execute a major crime in Punjab.”
According to investigators, both suspects have prior criminal records, with multiple cases already filed against them. Police sources indicated that the arrests are part of a broader crackdown on gang networks operating under the direction of non-resident gangsters like Dala.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to trace the network’s command chain and linkages both upstream and downstream. The investigation aims to expose the full scope of the gang’s operations and uncover any additional conspirators or planned attacks.
“The operation was the result of specific intelligence inputs and marks a significant step in curbing gang activity in the region,” added a senior AGTF official involved in the operation.
