In a significant victory for Indian security agencies, the Punjab Police successfully extradited Parminder Singh, popularly known as Pindi, a prominent operative of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This landmark operation was publicly announced by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, who hailed it as a crucial stride in the state’s ongoing battle against organized crime and terrorism.

DGP Yadav revealed that Parminder Singh Pindi had been involved in a string of heinous criminal activities, including petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults, and extortion rackets in the Batala and Gurdaspur regions of Punjab. His extradition represents a significant blow to the operational capabilities of the BKI in India.

The Extradition Operation

The successful extradition was the result of meticulous planning and international cooperation. Acting swiftly on a Red Corner Notice (RCN) requested by the Batala Police, a four-member team led by a senior police officer travelled to the UAE on September 24, 2024. The team coordinated closely with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and UAE authorities to complete all legal formalities, ensuring that Pindi was brought back to India to face justice.

In his announcement on X, DGP Yadav highlighted the collaborative effort that made this operation possible. He stated, “This successful extradition underscores Punjab Police’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and organised crime as well as its advanced investigative capabilities and global reach. We are thankful to the central agencies, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates for their invaluable cooperation in this joint effort to uphold justice and strengthen national security.”

Who is Parminder Singh ‘Pindi’?

Parminder Singh, also known as Pindi, is a close aide of foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Singh, alias Rinda, and Happy Passia. Both Rinda and Passia are notorious for orchestrating terror activities from abroad, targeting law enforcement agencies and civilians in Punjab.

Pindi has been implicated in multiple violent crimes, including petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults, and extortion rackets, particularly in the Batala–Gurdaspur region. Authorities believe that his actions aimed to destabilize law and order in Punjab while also funding the terrorist network of BKI.

The Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), banned under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is a well-known Khalistani terrorist organization with a long history of violent campaigns and international extremist connections. Pindi’s extradition marks a key step in curbing the influence of such organizations within India.

Links with Other Terrorists

Pindi has close ties with Harwinder Singh Rinda and Happy Passia. Notably, Happy Passia was arrested in the United States on April 18 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Enforcement and Removal Operations of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Passia is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Punjab Police for multiple cases of terror attacks, highlighting the global nature of the BKI network and the extensive coordination required for international law enforcement.

Recent BKI-Backed Terror Module Bust

Following Pindi’s extradition, Punjab Police also reported a successful crackdown on a BKI-backed terror module, demonstrating their continuous efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the state. The Counter Intelligence (CI) teams from Pathankot and Ludhiana, along with the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Amritsar, arrested two operatives linked to the module.

The arrested individuals were identified as Sarwan Kumar, a resident of Malhian village in Gurdaspur, and Balwinder Singh, a resident of Jakkriya in Gurdaspur. During searches, police recovered a hand grenade, a pistol, and three live cartridges, effectively preventing potential terror-related activities in the region.

Punjab Police’s Zero-Tolerance Stance

The extradition and subsequent terror module bust reflect Punjab Police’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and organized crime. DGP Yadav emphasized, “This successful extradition underscores Punjab Police’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and organised crime as well as its advanced investigative capabilities and global reach.”

Red Corner Notices (RCNs), issued by Interpol at the request of member countries, are international alerts to locate and provisionally arrest individuals wanted for serious crimes, including terrorism, pending extradition. The RCN against Pindi was based on actionable intelligence and requests from Indian law enforcement agencies, such as the Punjab Police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Several individuals linked to Punjab-based terrorism, primarily associated with Khalistani separatist groups like BKI, Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), currently have active RCNs against them. These fugitives are accused of orchestrating attacks, targeted killings, and terror funding in Punjab, making international cooperation critical for their apprehension.

International Cooperation and Legal Coordination

The successful extradition of Parminder Singh Pindi underscores the importance of international collaboration in tackling terrorism. The operation involved the Punjab Police, the Ministry of External Affairs, UAE authorities, and support from India’s central agencies. Legal formalities, coordination, and timely communication were crucial to ensure that the extradition complied with international and national laws.

Such operations demonstrate India’s growing investigative reach and the capability of Indian law enforcement agencies to operate seamlessly in coordination with foreign governments. It also highlights the importance of global intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat terrorism effectively.

Implications for National Security

The extradition of Pindi is a critical step in strengthening national security and curbing the operations of terrorist organizations like BKI in Punjab. By bringing high-profile operatives back to India, law enforcement agencies can gather crucial intelligence, disrupt funding networks, and dismantle terror modules effectively.

Authorities believe that targeting operatives like Pindi can significantly weaken the operational and financial capacities of terrorist networks. Moreover, it sends a strong message to other fugitives that India is capable of pursuing and bringing them to justice, irrespective of where they are located globally.

What's Ahead?

The extradition of Babbar Khalsa International terrorist Parminder Singh, alias Pindi, from Abu Dhabi to India marks a landmark achievement in Punjab Police’s fight against terrorism and organized crime. Acting on a Red Corner Notice issued by Batala Police, a dedicated four-member team successfully navigated legal and diplomatic channels to bring Pindi back to face justice.

DGP Gaurav Yadav’s statement highlights the importance of global cooperation, advanced investigative capabilities, and a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. Alongside the recent bust of a BKI-backed terror module in Punjab, these actions reaffirm the state’s commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting civilians, and dismantling terrorist networks.

The collaborative efforts of the Punjab Police, central agencies, MEA, and UAE authorities illustrate the potential for international partnerships to combat terrorism and enhance national security. As India continues to confront threats from banned terrorist organizations like BKI, these operations serve as a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated, intelligence-driven law enforcement initiatives.

The extradition of Parminder Singh Pindi not only strengthens Punjab Police’s anti-terror operations but also reinforces the message that terrorism, whether domestic or foreign-backed, will face relentless pursuit and justice under the Indian legal system.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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