Amritpal Singh, a most-wanted gangster from Punjab, detained at Moldova border

Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam, a most-wanted gangster linked to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang and allegedly involved in making extortion calls to businessmen in Punjab, has been detained at the Moldova border, the chief of Punjab Police informed on Saturday.

The detention came as a result of an Interpol Red Notice issued on the request of Punjab Police in coordination with central agencies, Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said in a post on X.

"Amritpal Singh is wanted in multiple serious criminal cases in Punjab and had been absconding abroad for a considerable period. His detention follows sustained international coordination and persistent follow-up by Punjab Police agencies," the tweet read.

Legal and diplomatic procedures are now underway to secure his extradition to India so that he can face the law, the DGP added.

"Amrit Dalam's detention marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to track and bring back offenders evading justice overseas," Yadav said.

Amritpal, a foreign-based gangster, was closely aligned with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria crime syndicate. He has been actively making extortion calls to individuals and business owners, particularly in the Amritsar region, the police claimed.

Amritpal hails from a village in Gurdaspur's Batala. He is accused in at least four separate cases involving drug smuggling, murder, and attempted murder. All the aforementioned cases are registered in Gurdaspur.

Punjab Police is currently pursuing 61 foreign-based gangsters who are operating in Punjab through their local associates. Amritpal is one of them.

To expedite their extradition, the Punjab Police has set up an Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC). Two of Amritpal's associates were arrested by the police in November. They were allegedly tasked by him to carry out targeted killings.

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(With inputs from PTI)