The Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) arrested Gurpreet Singh, alias Vicky Nihang, following a brief gunfight in Ludhiana. Nihang, a close aide of fugitive gangsters Doni Bal and Munn Ghanshampuria, was wanted in the August 23 murder of social media influencer Kartik Baggan.

Acting on an intelligence tip-off, the AGTF tracked Nihang to the outskirts of Ludhiana. As the AGTF sleuths moved in, Nihang opened fire at them, triggering a short exchange of gunfire. He was apprehended after a chase, and police recovered a pistol with four live cartridges. No civilians were harmed during the exchange.

Police said Nihang had a criminal record and was earlier arrested in January 2025 in SAS Nagar with two foreign-made pistols recovered from his possession. He was released on bail and later went into hiding.

Preliminary investigations suggest Nihang and his associates were acting under instructions from foreign-based handlers to execute targeted killings in Punjab. Officials said his arrest likely foiled a series of planned attacks.

“The operation marks another step in the state’s ongoing drive against organised crime,” said a senior police officer. “We are tracking cross-border links and dismantling networks operating under foreign influence”.

The AGTF has intensified its crackdown on gangster networks in Punjab, especially those linked to fugitives operating abroad.

Several associates of the Munn and Doni gangs have been arrested in recent months as part of the state’s wider anti-gang campaign.

– Ends

Published By:

Riya Mishra

Published On:

Oct 4, 2025

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