Reports have emerged suggesting the possible arrest of Arsh Dalla, a prominent Khalistani terrorist and a close associate of the slain pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada. Dalla, who has been associated with cross-border terrorism and gang-related activities, is believed to have been apprehended by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) following a shooting incident in Ontario on October 28. Although the Punjab Police has not yet confirmed the arrest, sources indicated that one of the two men detained in connection with the incident could be Dalla, who is accused of a range of criminal and terrorist activities.
On October 29, HRPS reported the arrest of two men following a shooting in Milton, Ontario. Both individuals were charged with “discharging a firearm with intent” after one of them, treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound at a hospital, was released. The identity of the arrested individuals has not been disclosed, but sources suggested that Arsh Dalla could be among them. The police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Dalla, a 31-year-old gangster originally from Dalla village in Punjab, has been a significant figure in the Khalistani movement. He was designated a terrorist by the Indian government in January 2023 due to his involvement in targeted killings, terror financing, and extortion across the state. His terror activities have drawn the attention of national security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has linked him to multiple cases involving cross-border smuggling of drugs, weapons, and terror funding.
The Union Home Ministry issued a notification under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), categorizing Dalla as a terrorist. His name was also linked to several high-profile criminal activities in Punjab, including disturbing communal harmony and instilling fear among the local population.
Dalla’s close association with slain Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in Canada in June 2023, further raises the stakes in the ongoing crackdown on terror networks operating internationally. It is believed that Dalla was heavily involved in the radicalization of youth and the funding of various terror activities within Punjab, including providing logistical and financial support to gangsters and operatives.
BOX------------------I
Who is Arsh Dalla?
Arshdeep Singh Dalla, also known as Arsh Dalla, is a notorious gangster and terrorist who has been on India’s most-wanted list for several years. Operating out of Canada, Dalla is one of the six top gangsters from Punjab, and his criminal activities extend beyond gang wars to radicalization and terror financing.
Before fleeing Punjab in 2016, Dalla was involved in multiple criminal activities, including extortion and murders. He is also a prime suspect in the 2022 murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik, a key figure in the 1985 Kanishka bombing case. Dalla’s escape to Canada was facilitated by a forged police verification report, and he has been linked to several killings, including the targeted murder of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower in Punjab.
BOX------------------II
Punjab Police thwart multiple target killings with arrest of Dalla’s operatives
The development comes at a time when Punjab Police are also making strides in dismantling Dalla’s terror network in the state. Earlier on Sunday, Punjab Police claimed that two shooters from Dalla’s gang, accused of involvement in the murder of a Sikh activist in Punjab, were arrested in Mohali. The joint operation, carried out by the Special Operation Cell, Anti-Gangster Task Force, and Faridkot Police, led to the capture of the suspects identified as Anmolpreet Singh alias Vishal and Navjot Singh alias Neetu — accused of being involved in the murder of Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau, a social media personality and YouTuber.
The police claimed that their arrest led to the prevention of at least four potential target killings and the resolution of three other high-profile crimes, including a murder in Madhya Pradesh. Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Pragya Jain on Sunday confirmed that the arrests followed a swift investigation into the October 9 shooting of Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau. Police recovered two sophisticated pistols, Rs 27,500 in cash, and a fake Aadhar card from the suspects, indicating their involvement in organized crime.
Investigations revealed that Arsh Dalla had directed Neetu and Vishal to target Hari Nau. Dalla provided the shooters with weapons, a motorcycle, and financial support. Following the murder, the shooters moved across various cities, including Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh, while maintaining contact with Dalla, who supplied them with heroin. The police also uncovered that the accused were involved in the recent murder of a convicted criminal in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and a shooting and extortion case in Zirakpur, Punjab.
