Punjab Gangster Gurwinder Alias Afridi Deported from Ethiopia After 10-Month International Manhunt

Photo: IANS

Chandigarh: In a major breakthrough against organised crime, the Punjab Police, with assistance from central agencies, has secured the deportation of notorious gangster Gurwinder, alias Afridi, from Ethiopia following a 10-month international manhunt under Operation SHAHID.

Afridi is allegedly a key operative and kingpin of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang and has been under the scanner of law enforcement agencies for his suspected involvement in several organised criminal activities in Punjab, including extortion. The Punjab government had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to his arrest.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the development on Sunday, crediting the Anti-Gangster Task Force and central agencies for the successful operation.

"Anti-Gangster Task Force Punjab, in coordination with the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell of Counter Intelligence, Punjab with the support of Central Agencies, secures the deportation of Gurwinder alias Afridi, a key kingpin of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang, from Ethiopia following a 10-month-long international manhunt under Operation SHAHID," Yadav said in a post on X.

He also thanked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other central agencies for their cooperation in securing the deportation.

According to the DGP, the operation involved sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated efforts to trace the accused across multiple countries in Asia, South America and Africa before he was eventually located in Ethiopia.

The Punjab Police described the development as an important step towards dismantling organised criminal networks and bringing fugitives operating from foreign countries within the reach of Indian law enforcement agencies.

Yadav reiterated that the state police remained committed to breaking gangster networks, curbing organised crime and maintaining peace and security across Punjab.

Further investigation is underway to establish the extent of Afridi's alleged involvement in criminal activities and identify the wider network associated with him in Punjab.