PunjabENews

Category: Crime

  • FBI raises reward to $1 million for Indian fugitive accused of killing wife in 2015

    FBI raises reward to $1 million for Indian fugitive accused of killing wife in 2015

    Washington: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has significantly increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Indian national Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, who is accused of brutally murdering his wife in 2015.

    The reward, earlier set at $250,000, has now been increased to $1 million (around ₹8.2 crore). Patel, 35, is listed among the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives”.

    According to investigators, the incident took place on April 12, 2015, at a donut shop in Maryland where Patel and his wife, 21-year-old Palak Patel, were working. Authorities allege that Patel stabbed his wife multiple times, leading to her death.

    Investigators said Palak wanted to return to India after their visa expired, but Bhadreshkumar was reportedly opposed to the move.

    After the killing, Patel fled the scene and managed to escape before police arrived. He was last seen at New York Penn Station in New Jersey. Since then, there has been no confirmed trace of him.

    The FBI has warned that Patel should be considered armed and dangerous. Authorities have urged the public to share any information that could help locate and arrest him.

  • BSF foils heroin smuggling bid along Indo-Pak border, Pakistani intruder shot dead in Tarn Taran

    BSF foils heroin smuggling bid along Indo-Pak border, Pakistani intruder shot dead in Tarn Taran

    Tarn Taran: Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot dead an unidentified Pakistani intruder who attempted to smuggle heroin across the international border in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district late Monday night.

    The incident took place in the border area of Khemkaran between border outposts Kalia and Noorwala, where troops of the 142nd battalion of the BSF intercepted the infiltration attempt.

    According to officials, the intruder was trying to cross into Indian territory with a consignment of heroin when BSF personnel opened fire, killing him on the spot. Some suspicious items were also recovered from the spot.

    Security sources said a few other Pakistani smugglers who were accompanying the intruder managed to retreat back across the border during the exchange of fire.

    Police from Valtoha police station have registered a case and taken the body into custody. The body has been sent to Civil Hospital, Patti, for post-mortem examination. BSF and police teams have launched a joint investigation into the incident.

    Smuggling attempts under close watch

    Officials said incidents of heroin smuggling from across the border, including through drones, have increased in recent months. A few days ago, a Pakistani national was also arrested with heroin near the same border belt.

    Border sources said smugglers often attempt to push heroin consignments into India before the wheat harvesting season to maximise distribution within the country.

    BSF officials said troops remain on high alert and security along the border has been strengthened to prevent any cross-border smuggling attempts.

  • Bomb threat email triggers panic in Ludhiana; 10 schools, railway station put on alert

    Bomb threat email triggers panic in Ludhiana; 10 schools, railway station put on alert

    Ludhiana: Panic gripped the industrial city of Ludhiana on Tuesday after an email threatening bomb blasts at 10 prominent schools and the city’s railway station was received by authorities.

    According to officials, the email claimed that explosions would take place in schools at 1:11 pm and in trains at 3:11 pm. As the information spread, anxious parents rushed to schools to take their children home, leading to heavy crowds and traffic congestion outside several campuses.

    Teams of Punjab Police, along with bomb disposal squads and dog units, immediately launched security checks across the city. As a precautionary measure, several institutions including DAV School, KVM School Ludhiana, Greenland Senior Secondary School and Guru Nanak Public School declared early closure and safely sent students home.

    Police teams conducted thorough searches across school premises and sensitive locations, while security was also tightened at Ludhiana Railway Station.

    Officials said the email also mentioned Bhagwant Mann and referred to alleged “fake police encounters”, which has added to the seriousness of the investigation.

    Senior police officers said the source of the email is being traced and cyber teams have been deployed to track its origin. Authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken and security arrangements have been strengthened across the city.

  • Day 48 of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’: Punjab Police Conduct 453 Raids, 167 Held

    Day 48 of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’: Punjab Police Conduct 453 Raids, 167 Held

    Punjab E News: As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann enters its 48th day, Punjab Police on Monday conducted 453 raids at the at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.

    As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has been conducting special operations across the state.

    On Day 48, Police teams arrested 167 individuals and recovered two weapons from their possession, taking the total arrests to 13,522 since the launch of the campaign.

    Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 52 persons, whereas, 87 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested seven proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.

    People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.

    Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 373rd day with 75 drug smugglers arrested on Monday and recovered 9.1 kg heroin, 627 grams opium, 545 kg poppy husk, 320 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 4280 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 52,786 in just 373 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 27 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

  • Vigilance Bureau nabs Jalandhar ASI red handed accepting bribe of Rs 8,000

    Vigilance Bureau nabs Jalandhar ASI red handed accepting bribe of Rs 8,000

    Jalandhar News: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Assistant Sub-Inspector Gopal Singh posted at Police Division No. 2 Commissionerate Jalandhar, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 8,000/-.

    Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Gandhi Camp, Jalandhar.

    He said that the complainant works as an astrologer and the police of Police Station Division No. 2 had arrested his neighbour Vijay Raj alias Pali in a drug case on his complaint. Subsequently, the complainant visited Police Station Division No. 2 along with the sister of Vijay Raj alias Pali and the locality president, where they came to know that a drug case had been registered against Vijay Raj alias Pali.

    He further informed that two days later, the accused ASI called the complainant and warned him that if he did not come to the police station and meet him, his name would also be included in the said case. Thereafter, when the complainant’s younger brother Balwant and the locality president Amit Kumar alias Lovely Bhagat met the accused ASI at Police Station Division No. 2, the accused demanded a bribe of Rs. 50,000/- for not implicating the complainant in the case.

    Upon the request of the complainant’s younger brother Balwant and Amit Kumar alias Lovely Bhagat, the accused reduced the bribe amount to Rs. 20,000/-. Under compulsion, they paid Rs. 10,000/- to the accused on the spot. However. the accused remained insistent on the remaining bribe of Rs. 10,000/. After they expressed their inability to pay the remaining amount, the accused agreed to accept Rs. 8,000/- at a later stage. Complainant had recorded the conversation regarding the demand for the bribe.

    Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau range Jalandhar. After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused ASI was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 8,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

    In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Jalandhar and further investigation into this case is under progress.

  • Amritsar: Drug Smuggler Held With 9 Kg Heroin

    Amritsar: Drug Smuggler Held With 9 Kg Heroin

    Amritsar News: In a major breakthrough against trans-border narcotics smuggling amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence Amritsar has apprehended a drug smuggler and recovered 9 Kg Heroin from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

    The arrested person has been identified as Ranjit Singh alias Rana, a resident of village Gillan Wali in Amritsar. Apart from recovering contraband, Police teams have also impounded his Hero Deluxe Motorcycle (PB14D0554) being used for transporting the drug consignments.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused was in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler and with the help of his other associates, has been collecting heroin consignments sent from across the border via drones, from the area of village Ghonewala in Amritsar.

    Sharing operational details, the DGP said that acting on a reliable input that suspect Ranjit has received a heroin consignment and is expected to deliver it to other party somewhere near Amritsar-Ramdas Road near Adda Village Aniatpura, Police teams laid nakas around this location and arrested him along with 9 Kg heroin. Further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages of this drug smuggling network, and more arrests are likely, he said.

    In this regard, a case FIR No. 15 dated 09.03.2026 has been registered under sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar.

  • Arms Supply Module With Links to Philippines and UAE Busted in Kapurthala; Juvenile Among Two Held With 5 Pistols

    Arms Supply Module With Links to Philippines and UAE Busted in Kapurthala; Juvenile Among Two Held With 5 Pistols

    Kapurthala News: In an intelligence-led operation amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Kapurthala Police has busted an arms supply module with the arrest of two persons, including one juvenile and recovered five country-made 7.65MM pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.

    The arrested accused have been identified as Ajay Kumar, a resident of village Mehrajwala in Jalandhar and 17-years-old juvenile.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested persons were acting on the directions of foreign-based handlers residing in Philippines and UAE.

    The DGP said that preliminary investigation has revealed that arrested accused had procured illegal weapons from Madhya Pradesh and were supplying them to criminal gangs. The recovered weapons were intended to be used for firing and extortion activities in the region, he said.

    Sharing operational details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kapurthala Gaurav Toora said that acting on reliable inputs, police teams had arrested Ajay Kumar and recovered one pistol from his possession. Further investigation has led to the arrest of his 17-years-old accomplice and recovery of four more pistols from his possession, he said.

    The SSP said that the probe has revealed that arrested accused persons had bought weapons from unidentified person in Madhya Pradesh with the cost of Rs 87000. Further investigations are underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to completely unmask the network, he added.

    In this regard, a case FIR no. 25 dated 2/2/2026 had been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Sadar Kapurthala.

  • Vigilance Bureau nabs Drug Inspector red handed accepting bribe of Rs 1,00,000

    Vigilance Bureau nabs Drug Inspector red handed accepting bribe of Rs 1,00,000

    Sri Muktsar Sahib: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Drug Inspector Ramandeep Gupta posted at FDA Drug Wing, Sri Muktsar Sahib, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 1,00,000/-.

    Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Bathinda.

    He said that complainant is the director of Redinex Life Sciences Private Limited Company, Bathinda and his company is manufacturing allopathic medicines since the year 2020. Accused Drug Inspector raided and sealed his company. In this regard, complainant alleged that accused Drug Inspector demanded bribe Rs two lakh per month in lieu of unlocking his sealed company.

    Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau range , Bathinda. After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Drug Inspector was arrested red handed while accepting first installment of bribe money of Rs 1,00,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

    In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Bathinda and further investigation into this case is under progress.

  • Moga sarpanch Happy murder: FIR against 11 accused, two detained

    Moga sarpanch Happy murder: FIR against 11 accused, two detained

    Chandigarh: Police have registered a case against 11 people in connection with the daylight murder of village sarpanch Harpinder Singh ‘Happy’ in Moga district of Punjab.

    According to officials, the case has been filed against four named individuals and seven unidentified persons in the killing of the sarpanch of Patto Hira Singh village. Police have so far detained two suspects for questioning.

    The victim was shot at multiple times by attackers on Friday morning. He sustained six to seven bullet injuries and later died during treatment at a hospital.

    Initial investigation suggests the killing was the result of personal rivalry. Police said the sarpanch had been receiving death threats in recent months and usually travelled in a bulletproof vehicle. However, on the day of the attack he was travelling in a Mahindra Thar, which the attackers allegedly took advantage of.

    Following the incident, the victim’s family staged a protest demanding action, which ended late Friday night after police detained two suspects.

    Officials from the Bagha Purana police station said efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused and expressed confidence that the other suspects will be apprehended soon. The body has been sent to the Civil Hospital in Moga for post-mortem examination.

  • Gangstran Te Vaar Strikes Abroad: Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Gang Member Amrit Dalam Detained at Moldova Border

    Gangstran Te Vaar Strikes Abroad: Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Gang Member Amrit Dalam Detained at Moldova Border

    Punjab News: Marking a significant success in ongoing efforts to track and bring back offenders evading justice overseas amidst the ongoing ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, most-wanted gangster Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam has been detained at the Moldova border, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

    The fugitive Amritpal Dalam was detained on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice (Red Corner Notice) issued at the request of Punjab Police in coordination with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Interpol and other central agencies.

    Pertinently, on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has recently established Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Counter Intelligence Ashish Choudhary, to reach out the criminals sitting abroad and expedite their extradition process to bring them back to Punjab to face legal action.

    As per the information, Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Dalam, a native of Dalam Nangal village in Batala, closely aligned with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang and had fled abroad using fraudulent passport. He has been actively making extortion calls targeting individuals and business owners, particularly in the Amritsar region.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Amritpal Singh is wanted in multiple serious criminal cases including drug smuggling, murders, attempt to murders, etc in Punjab and had been absconding abroad for a considerable period.

    “His (Amrit Dalam’s) detention follows sustained international coordination and persistent follow-up by Punjab Police agencies,” he said, while adding that legal and diplomatic procedures are now underway to secure his extradition/deportation to India so that he can face the law.

    The DGP said that the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) of Punjab Police is currently pursuing various criminals hiding abroad.