10-month international manhunt across four countries ends; gangster wanted in over 30 criminal cases, including five murders, detained
CHANDIGARH: In a significant breakthrough against transnational organised crime, Punjab Police has secured the deportation of fugitive gangster Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi from Ethiopia, marking the first-ever deportation of a wanted fugitive from an African country by the state police.
The development comes amid the Punjab Government’s ongoing anti-gangster campaign, ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’, launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the operation was carried out by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in close coordination with the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) of the Counter Intelligence wing, with support from central agencies.
Afridi, a key alleged kingpin of the Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang, was wanted in more than 30 criminal cases, including five murder cases, attempted murder, extortion and offences under the Arms Act. The Punjab Government had announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to his arrest.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Police Headquarters, Yadav said the deportation marked a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to tackle organised crime operating across international borders.
Ten-month manhunt across four countries
According to the DGP, the operation, codenamed ‘Operation SHAHID’, involved a 10-month-long intelligence-led international manhunt, with sustained surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordinated tracking across Asia, South America and Africa.
Investigations revealed that Afridi fled India through Mumbai Airport on March 31, 2025, travelling to the UAE using a fake passport allegedly obtained in the identity of a Gorakhpur resident. The passport was issued from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on February 12, 2025.
After initially taking refuge in the UAE, he allegedly attempted to reach Mexico via Istanbul but was deported back to the UAE.
He subsequently travelled to Kenya in April 2026, moved to Angola in June 2026 and reached Ethiopia in November 2026, where he was eventually detained.
INTERPOL Red Notice leads to detention
Yadav said Punjab Police had secured an INTERPOL Red Notice against Afridi and obtained seven INTERPOL references during the investigation. Information regarding his alleged fake identity and international movements was also shared with central agencies at crucial stages.
The coordinated efforts led to his detention in Ethiopia on November 6, 2026, followed by his deportation to India.
Punjab Police took him into custody at New Delhi Airport. He is being brought to Punjab to face legal proceedings, the DGP said.
Wanted in five high-profile murder cases
Afridi is wanted in five murder cases reported in Punjab, including:
- Rajwinder Singh alias Raj Talwandi: Murder of a sarpanch in October 2024.
- Gursewak Singh: Murder of a 12-year-old boy in March 2025.
- Vicky Chugh: Murder in March 2025.
- Jaswant Singh: Murder in May 2025.
- Gurmel Singh: Murder of a Congress block president in September 2025.
Police allege that Afridi was directing targeted killings, extortion-related firing incidents and organised criminal networks in Punjab while operating from overseas.
Punjab Police acknowledges international cooperation
The DGP commended the AGTF and OFTEC teams for their sustained efforts and acknowledged the support of the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and central intelligence and enforcement agencies.
Operation SHAHID was conducted under the supervision of IGP OFTEC Ashish Chaudhary and led by SP AGTF/OFTEC Operations Bikramjit Singh Brar.
Yadav said the successful deportation demonstrated the importance of coordinated international efforts in tracking fugitives involved in organised crime and bringing them back to India to face the law.
