In a first, Punjab Police gets most-wanted gangster extradited from Europe

In a major breakthrough against transnational organised crime, the Punjab Police, with assistance from Central agencies, has succeeded in bringing back a key operative of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang from Moldova, the police force said on Saturday.Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said it was the first-ever extradition from Europe secured by Punjab Police. Amritpal Singh, alias Amrit Dalam, was detained at Moldova's border earlier this year.The 27-year-old was wanted in multiple cases of murder, attempt to murder, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Arms Act, and narcotic offences registered across Punjab."This is the first-ever extradition secured by Punjab Police from a European country, marking a significant milestone in our fight against organised crime," DGP Yadav said on X. According to Punjab Police, Singh had fled India around late October 2024 using a fake passport under the alias "Gurpal Singh."He first went to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). From there, he travelled to Moldova via various other countries, the police said. According to intelligence sources, Singh, along with an aide, fled to Georgia from the UAE. His associate was later caught in the European country and extradited to India in June this year, the sources said.Singh, however, managed to get bail and fled to Armenia, they added. He had a visa for Ukraine, using which he tried to enter the country from Moldova, the sources said.Singh was detained by Moldovan authorities at the Moldova-Ukraine border.The most-wanted gangster's extradition came as the result of Operation Eastern Reach, which was a six-month international manhunt.The operation was mounted in coordination with the Anti-Gangster Task Force and Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) of the Punjab Police with central agencies and international partners, DGP Yadav said.The detention came as a result of an Interpol Red Notice issued on the request of Punjab Police in coordination with central agencies, Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said in a post on X.Singh was detained by Moldovan authorities following an Interpol Red Notice that was issued on the request of Punjab Police in coordination with central agencies.His extradition was approved by a Moldovan court on May 26 this year. He later challenged the verdict before a higher court, but lost the appeal in July.A four-member Punjab Police team took him into custody at Moldova's Chisinau Airport on Friday (September 11) and brought him back to India, Punjab Police said in a statement.DGP Yadav thanked the Moldovan authorities, Azerbaijan Authorities, IPCU-CBI, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of External Affairs.The OFTEC, headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ashish Choudhary, was set up by Punjab Police to expedite the extradition of foreign-based gangsters.- Ends(With inputs from PTI)Published On: Sep 12, 2026 11:04 IST