Latest news with #Billa
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: 3 arrested with heroin, weapons in Muktsar
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab, in a joint operation with Muktsar police, have arrested three criminals and seized illegal arms and narcotics from their possession, director general of police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said on Sunday. Those arrested have been identified as Gaurav Kumar alias Billa, Vikasdeep Singh, and Lovepreet Singh, all residents of Muktsar. The police have recovered two .32 bore pistols, 10 live cartridges, and 174 grams of heroin from their possession. DGP Yadav said that the accused were wanted in multiple criminal cases involving serious offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. 'Gaurav alias Billa was a fugitive in a case registered at police station city Malout, while Vikasdeep and Lovepreet Singh were wanted in separate cases at police station city Sri Muktsar Sahib. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were plotting to eliminate a rival in Punjab, ' the DGP added. Sharing operational details, additional director general of police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said the trio was spotted examining a polythene bag under a flyover bridge. Upon seeing the police, they attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended near the GT Road Bathinda roundabout, Malout. 'Upon searching them, heroin and firearms were recovered from their possession,' the ADGP said. 'An FIR under Section 21(b) of the NDPS Act, and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, has been registered at police station city Malout. Further investigation is ongoing to trace criminal networks and other accomplices,' the ADGP added.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Cops recover 105 gm heroin, ₹5L drug money, 6 held in Mohali
In the past 48 hours, Mohali police arrested six drug peddlers in three separate cases, recovering a total of 105 grams of heroin and ₹5 lakh in drug money. All six suspects are currently on police remand at various police stations in Mohali. In the first case, Mohali police arrested two suspects and seized 25.95 grams of heroin from their possession. DSP City 2 Harsimran Singh Bal and Phase 11 station house officer inspector Aman apprehended Lakhwinder Singh and Suraj Singh, both residents of Saharna, Sadar Police Station, Mansa district. A case was registered against them under Sections 21, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act. During interrogation, Lakhwinder Singh revealed that he had procured the heroin from Sandeep Singh alias Billa, a resident of Khalchian Jadid village in Ferozepur. As a result, Sandeep Singh alias Billa was named in the case, and Section 29 of the NDPS Act was added. Subsequently, a raid was conducted at Billa's house in Ferozepur, guided by Lakhwinder Singh. The raid led to the recovery of 18.61 grams of heroin and ₹4.78 lakh in drug money. The investigation is ongoing. In the second case, the Mohali police arrested a drug trafficker in Zirakpur and recovered 25 grams of heroin from his possession. The accused was identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Ram Singh, a native of Tarn Taran, currently residing in Barmajra village, Mohali. Under the Punjab government's special campaign against drug trafficking and anti-social elements, SP Manpreet Singh and DSP Jaspinder Singh of Zirakpur sub-division, under the directives of SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans, initiated an operation. Zirakpur SHO inspector Gagandeep Singh, along with his team, including sub-inspector Balraj Singh, was present at the McDonald's crossing when they spotted a suspicious man on foot. Upon noticing the police, the man attempted to flee into the nearby fields. After a brief chase, the police apprehended him. A search of the polybag he was carrying led to the recovery of 25 grams of heroin. He was booked under Sections 21, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act. A case was registered at Zirakpur Police Station, and the accused was presented in court. Police remand was subsequently obtained. In the third case, Kurali police arrested two drug traffickers and recovered 37 grams of heroin and ₹21,740 in drug money. Mullanpur DSP Mohit Agarwal stated that the identities of the two arrested individuals are being withheld for the time being, as more accomplices are yet to be apprehended.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Passian held, Europe-based Agwan now ‘BKI mastermind'
1 2 Chandigarh: Punjab Police on Tuesday indicated that Jaswinder Singh aka Manu Agwan was the operational in-charge of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) following the arrest of its mastermind Happy Passian in the US. This came out in the context of the announcement regarding the busting of a Pakistan-backed BKI terror module , operated by foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa and Manu Agwan on the directions of Pak-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. As per Punjab Police, Manu travelled to Serbia in March 2020 on his original passport and had "no criminal background at that time". Police believe he came under the influence of criminal-minded individuals through social media platforms and is currently in Europe. Son of a daily-wager, Manu is a native of Agwan village near Kalanaur in Gurdaspur district. His name repeatedly surfaced in recent incidents of grenade attacks in Punjab for his alleged role in financing, planning, and directing terror-related activities in Punjab from abroad. Those in the module are alleged to be involved in an attempted grenade attack outside a liquor vend in Batala on the night of May 16. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused were receiving direct instructions from Portugal-based-Billa and BKI mastermind Agwan. He said Agwan recently assumed operational charge after the arrest of Passia in the USA. Billa, as per police records accessed by the TOI, belongs to Dakoha village in Batala police district. According to police records, Billa has "familial ties to Agwan village through his maternal side, which led to his association with Agwan. He travelled to Bangkok in Dec 2022, using his original passport and has not returned since. At the time he left the country, no criminal record was registered against him." "Manu's strategic collaboration with Billa and other foreign-based handlers reflects a growing pattern of transnational coordination in targeting Indian soil," said a senior Punjab police officer. "A senior police officer said that after travelling to Bangkok in 2022, Billa moved to Malaysia and operated from there before shifting to Portugal. Billa, police believe, is "closely aligned with Pakistan-based terrorist Rinda and has played a critical role in managing logistics, recruiting personnel, and channelling funds for terror activities in collaboration with Agwan. " According to Punjab Police, Manu's involvement in terror acts first came to light during the investigation into a grenade attack on the Bakshiwala police post in Gurdaspur district on Dec 18, 2024, the responsibility of which was claimed by the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) through a social media post. In this claim, the group stated that the attack was carried out under the leadership of Ranjit Singh Jammu and the supervision of Agwan. "That attack was carried out by the KZF under the command of Pakistan-based terrorist Ranjeet Singh Neeta. Agwan played a crucial role by recruiting foot soldiers and providing logistical support from overseas," said the senior Punjab police officer. In a subsequent operation, three members of the KZF module involved in the grenade attack on the Police Post Bakshiwala were killed in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh police in Pilibhit district on Dec 23, 2024. Manu's name re-emerged following a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack near the Qila Lal Singh Police Station in Batala on the night of April 6, 2025. The responsibility for this attack was claimed on a social media page affiliated with BKI by USA-based gangsters Harpreet Singh aka Happy Passia, Gopi Nawanshaheria, and Agwan.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Mohali police arrest 6 drug traffickers in 48 hrs, recover 105gm heroin and Rs 5L drug money
1 2 Mohali: In three separate operations over the past 48 hours, the police have arrested six drug traffickers and recovered 105 grams of heroin and Rs 5 lakh in suspected drug money. All six accused are in police custody at different police stations in the district. In the first operation, SHO of Phase 11 police station, apprehended Lakhwinder Singh and Suraj Singh, residents of Saharna village under Sadar Police Station, Mansa. The duo was caught with 25.95 grams of heroin. During interrogation, Lakhwinder Singh revealed the heroin was sourced from Sandeep Singh alias Billa, a resident of Khalchian Jadid village in Ferozepur. Acting on this lead, the police raided Billa's residence and recovered 18.61 grams of heroin and Rs 4.78 lakh in suspected drug proceeds. A case has been registered under sections 21, 61, 85, and 29 of the NDPS Act , and the investigation is ongoing. In the second case, Zirakpur police arrested a man identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Ram Singh, originally from Tarn Taran, now residing in Barmajra village, Mohali. Gagandeep Singh, SHO Zirakpur, along with SI Balraj Singh, apprehended Gurpreet near the McDonald's crossing. On noticing the police, the accused attempted to flee into nearby fields but was caught after a short chase. He was found carrying 25 grams of heroin in a polybag. A case under NDPS Act was registered at Zirakpur police station, and the accused has been remanded in police custody. In the third incident, Kurali police arrested two individuals with 37 grams of heroin and Rs 21,740 in drug proceeds. According to Mullanpur DSP Mohit Agarwal, the identity of the arrested persons has been withheld as more accomplices are yet to be arrested.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Explosive seized from Happy Passia's aides disposed
Two days after Chandigarh Police foiled a major terror plot by arresting two operatives of the Happy Passia terror module and seizing a 2 kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from Sector 39, the explosive was safely neutralised by a specialised bomb disposal unit from Chandimandir on Saturday. The operation, carried out by the Western Command, was conducted under strict safety protocols in a controlled environment outside city limits. The IED, suspected to contain RDX, was recovered during the arrest of Joban Jit Singh, alias Billa, and Sumandeep, alias Simma—two men with direct links to gangster-turned-terrorist Happy Passia. While the intended target remains unknown, police officials say the explosive was powerful enough to cause large-scale destruction. Following the arrest, Chandigarh Police secured the explosive at a safe location, and the army's bomb disposal squad was called in for expert handling. The remains of the explosive were secured and taken by Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for testing. The army team deployed at the site of the IED disposal stated that the device posed a significant threat and could not be secured for long, adding that immediate orders were issued for its disposal as retaining it on site was deemed highly risky.
