In a significant crackdown on organized crime, the Punjab Police have successfully brought back wanted gangster Gurwinder Singh, known by his alias Afridi, from Ethiopia. The operation, which concluded following a 10-month international manhunt, saw the suspect arrive at Delhi airport on Sunday before being taken into custody by state authorities. Identified as a primary kingpin of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang, Afridi had been evading justice while allegedly coordinating criminal operations from overseas.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the mission, designated as "Operation Shaheed," was executed by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) in conjunction with the Counter Intelligence wing's Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC). The operation required extensive collaboration with central government agencies and the Ministry of External Affairs to track and secure the deportation of the accused, for whom a Rs 5 lakh reward had been previously announced.
Authorities allege that while stationed abroad, Afridi remained actively involved in orchestrating targeted killings, extortion-related firing incidents, and various organized criminal activities within Punjab. DGP Yadav noted that preliminary investigations suggest the accused utilized his network to influence criminal proceedings from multiple locations across Asia, South America, and Africa. The successful return of the fugitive represents the first time the Punjab Police have managed to extradite a wanted criminal from an African nation.
According to police records, Afridi initially fled India on March 31, 2025, departing from Mumbai airport using a fraudulent passport. Investigators believe the document was obtained in February 2025 in Lucknow under a false identity linked to a resident of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. His flight path included stops in the United Arab Emirates, followed by an unsuccessful attempt to enter Mexico via Istanbul. He eventually relocated to Kenya in April 2026, then to Angola in June, before finally being detained in Ethiopia on November 6.
Afridi is currently wanted in over 30 serious criminal cases. These include charges related to five murder cases, attempted murder, extortion, and various violations of the Arms Act. Among the high-profile crimes he is accused of are the October 2024 killing of Aam Aadmi Party sarpanch Rajwinder Singh, the March 2025 murder of 12-year-old Gursewak Singh, and the September 2025 assassination of Congress block president Gurmel Singh. Additionally, police have implicated him in the murders of Vicky Chugh and Jaswant Singh.
During the lengthy pursuit, officials generated seven Interpol references and successfully secured a Red Corner Notice against the suspect. This sustained pressure allowed law enforcement to monitor his movements across international borders by sharing intelligence with foreign counterparts. The operation underscores the intensifying efforts by state and central security agencies to dismantle the overseas networks of Punjab-based organized crime syndicates.
Following his arrival in India, the gangster is being transported to Punjab for custodial questioning. Investigators are expected to delve into his alleged role in the aforementioned murders and map out the internal network that facilitated his activities and sustained his life abroad for nearly a year. The police investigation aims to uncover further links between his gang and their operational support structures, both within the country and across international borders.
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