Punjab Police Scores Major Win: Wanted Gangster ‘Afridi’ Deported from Ethiopia
In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement, the Punjab Police successfully brought wanted gangster Gurwinder Singh, widely known by his alias ‘Afridi,’ back to India on Sunday. The high-profile fugitive was deported from Ethiopia and arrived at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport during the early hours of the morning. A specialized team from the Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), commanded by Superintendent of Police Bikram Brar, took custody of the suspect upon his arrival to facilitate his immediate transport to Punjab.
This operation marks a historic milestone for the state police, as it is the first time Punjab authorities have successfully secured the extradition or deportation of a wanted criminal from an African nation. The arrest is viewed as a testament to the state’s intensifying crackdown on organized crime and the global expansion of its fugitive-tracking initiatives.
A Targeted Extradition Effort
Gurwinder Singh, a native of Tut village in the Tarn Taran district, had been on the radar of state authorities for several years. The Punjab government had previously placed a ₹5 lakh bounty on his head, signaling the gravity of his involvement in various criminal activities.
His capture is a direct result of the newly established Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC). Formed specifically to bridge the communication gap between local police, central government agencies, and international law enforcement bodies, OFTEC has been instrumental in monitoring the movements of gangsters who attempt to evade the Indian judicial system by fleeing abroad. Senior officials, including Special DGP (AGTF) Parmod Ban and the Special DGP (Counter Intelligence), are scheduled to hold a formal press conference later today to provide further details regarding the logistics of the operation and the implications for ongoing investigations.
Criminal History and Allegations
Afridi’s notoriety stems from his alleged participation in a series of violent and high-profile crimes in Punjab. Most notably, his name became a focal point in the probe surrounding a disturbing attack on a church in Thakkarpura village, Tarn Taran, on August 31, 2022.
During that incident, a group of masked assailants stormed the premises, held the security guard at gunpoint, and engaged in the systematic vandalism of religious statues, including those of Lord Jesus and Mother Mary. The perpetrators also torched the pastor’s vehicle before managing to escape. While the Amritsar Rural Police made headway in the case with the June 2024 arrest of Jaswinder Singh, alias ‘Munshi,’ subsequent interrogations reportedly identified Afridi as a primary architect of the attack.
Beyond the church vandalism, Afridi’s legal record includes previous charges related to theft and illegal possession of weapons under the Arms Act. While some of his earlier legal entanglements—specifically a 2021 case registered at the Sadar Patti police station—were resolved following a compromise and subsequent quashing by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in early 2024, the severity of the newer charges ensured he remained a top priority for the AGTF. With his return to Indian soil, the state police are expected to accelerate the trial process, aiming to deliver justice for the various criminal acts attributed to him.
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