In operations against overseas syndicates, Haryana STF deported 5 gangsters in 2025

Gurgaon: Haryana Police's Special Task Force (STF) deported five fugitive gangsters to India in 2025 as part of its crackdown against organised crime syndicates operating from abroad. STF also reported a nearly 30% decline in extortion cases in 2025 compared with 2024, attributing the drop to sustained action against overseas gangsters. The data shared by STF on Tuesday showed that the deported gangsters were Joginder Gyong, brought back from Philippines on Feb 2; Naresh Narsi deported from Armenia on March 4, Kunal Joon returned from Kazakhstan on April 27, Mainpal Badli deported from Cambodia on Sept 2, and Lakhwinder Lakha, who was brought back from the US on Oct 25. An STF officer said these deportations, along with arrests of their ground-level operatives in Haryana, disrupted overseas control of extortion networks. As part of its action against foreign-based criminals, STF issued 63 look out circulars (LOCs), secured 20 red corner notices, sent 33 Interpol references, moved six provisional arrest requests, and got 41 passports revoked in 2025. During this year, STF arrested 804 accused, including 118 most-wanted criminals carrying rewards, 470 gangsters or gang members, and 216 people involved in heinous crimes. In 20 operations in the state, STF had to retaliate when criminals opened fire at police teams this year. Four criminals were neutralised and 26 were injured. Those neutralised included shooters linked to the murder of BSP leader Harbilas in Ambala's Naraingarh, triple murder at Kheri Lakha Singh in Yamuna Nagar, murder of liquor contractor Shantanu at Shahbad in Kurukshetra, and those involved in firing at the house of Bollywood actor Disha Patani. STF also recovered arms and ammunition in 90 cases this year. The seizures included 76 pistols, two revolvers, 112 country-made pistols, 14 magazines, 815 cartridges, two carbines, a double-barrel gun, five hand grenades, and an improvised explosive device (IED). Under the NDPS Act, nine cases were registered during the year, leading to recovery of 29kg opium, 35g heroin, 458kg ganja, and 2,345kg poppy husk. "Action was also taken against glorification of gang culture. STF examined digital content and issued notices to online platforms. Action was taken against 67 songs across platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and JioSaavn, leading to removal of objectionable content. Meetings were also held with Haryanvi singers and lyricists," a senior STF officer said. On the counter-terror front, STF said it detected several cases linked to terror–gangster modules in 2025. On March 2, STF Haryana and ATS Gujarat seized two hand grenades from Abdul Rehman alias Abu Bakar, who was allegedly planning an attack on Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.On June 13, a live hand grenade was seized in Karnal, and the investigation linked it to a gangster based in the US. The grenade was recovered from two criminals, Deepender and Adamya, both residents of Sector 13 in Karnal. Investigators said it was intended for a terrorist act, potentially targeting a police post or a senior political leader, mirroring the pattern of recent grenade attacks in Punjab. Investigators said the grenade was supplied by Bhanu Rana, a gangster based in the US, and that he was operating under the banner of Khalistan-affiliated factions (KAF), specifically under Happy Pashian and Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti. In another case, a grenade attack on the women police station in Sirsa on Nov 25 triggered a technical and financial investigation. In a related Karnal case, STF arrested Amar Singh and recovered a foreign-made Glock pistol, followed by the recovery of two live hand grenades and an IED. STF said its 2025 operations focused on foreign-based gangster networks, organised crime, terror-linked modules, and the recovery of illegal arms and narcotics across Haryana.