Bishnoi Gang Shooters Used by Pakistan-Based Terrorists to Target Govt Establishments: NIA

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed in its charge sheet that shooters of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi were being used by Pakistan-based terrorists to carry out attacks on establishments of the Indian government, especially those in Punjab.

The statement in the charge sheet says that a Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) named Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, started to employ Bishnoi's shooters in conducting operations like assassinations and attacks on security establishments. The primary reason cited to be behind the ploy to use Bishnoi's shooters was that the syndicate operated by Rinda is considered as one of the most feared terror groups in North India, comprising around 700 associates, with around 300 belonging to Punjab.

"The targets were decided by Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda and were conveyed to gangsters who were either lodged in jail or outside. These gangsters then were assigned the targets to different shooters, including Lawrence Bishnoi's aides Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar and Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, who had fled to Canada and are currently operating from there. They started working for Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, a BKI terrorist," the charge sheet said.

Bishnoi’s associates Deepak Surakhpur and Divyanshu carried out an attack on the Intelligence Headquarters of Punjab Police in Mohali with Rocket-propelled Grenades (RPGs) on Rinda's directions. These attackers were also told by accused Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria to eliminate one Rana Kandhowalia before carrying out the attack on the Intelligence Headquarters of the Punjab Police. Both of them are accused of committing numerous crimes on the orders of Lawrence Bishnoi and his associates.

NIA’s investigation disclosed that Goldy Brar moved to Chandigarh for studies after leaving home in 2012-13, and later moved on to Canada. Goldy Brar became a member of the Student Organisation of Punjab University (SOPU) and finally became its president. During his stint at the university, Brar started indulging in criminal activities. Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi are also said to have become close to Rinda and Landa of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). While Rinda carries out his operations from Pakistan, Landa operates from Canada.

“Lawrence Bishnoi, along with his brothers Sachin Thapan Bishnoi and Anmol Bishnoi and other associates, operates as a terror-gangster syndicate, assisting Rinda and Landa in terrorist activities by providing extorted money and shooters for executing targeted killings," read the charge sheet.

The investigation revealed that Goldy Brar planned the shooting down of Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pardeep Kumar in Kotkapura on November 10, 2022, and it was carried out by the shooters of Kala Jatheri. After the killing of Pradeep Kumar In 2022, Goldy Brar associated with Lawrence Bishnoi, Rinda, and Landa to threaten five other followers of Dera Sacha Sauda.

The charge sheet of National Investigation Agency (NIA) was in the Special NIA court here last week.

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