Ottawa:

A Canadian court has granted bail to Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, the de facto chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force, amid India’s push for his extradition. The Khalistani terrorist was granted bail on the condition of furnishing a surety bond of $30,000. The next hearing in his case is scheduled for February 24, 2025. 

Dalla was arrested in Canada’s Halton in October after he was injured in an attack by unknown shooters. Since then, India has been trying to extradite him from Canada. Sources said that the Khalistni terrorist was granted despite non-cooperation from the Indian authorities.

They said that despite the bail order, India will continue to follow up on the issue with the Canadian authorities.

India’s Push For Dalla’s Extradition

Last month, the Foreign Ministry said that a court in Canada’s Ontario had listed its extradition request for hearing and that it had sent separate requests to verify financial details as provided last year. The ministry labelled Dalla a “proclaimed offender” named in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts, including terror financing. He was designated a ‘terrorist’ in January last year and is also an accused in multiple cases filed by the National Investigation Agency.

According to sources, the Khalistani terrorist has been in direct contact with Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. Delhi also believes that he has taken over the reins of the Khalistani terror outfit after Hardeep Nijjar was shot dead in June 2023. 

Arsh Dalla’s Arrest

Sources said that Dalla, a native of Punjab’s Moga district, was arrested in Canada’s Ontario on October 28. According to sources, Arsh Dalla was passing through the Halton area in a car with his partner Gurjant Singh, when there was an accidental fire from the weapon kept in the vehicle.

“The bullet hit Dalla’s right hand, and Singh was also injured. They were admitted to the hospital, where authorities alerted police about them. When questioned about injuries, Dalla then told cops a fake story of an attack on him,” they said. 

During the probe, the Canadian police searched their vehicle – a grey Dodge Durango – and found bullet marks on the SUV, and also found two bullet casings on the floor of the passenger’s seat. 

A day later, Dalla’s house was searched and a Taurus 9mm handgun, with a loaded magazine, was recovered, as well as a rifle, a shotgun, and two high-capacity magazines in a gun safe. Dalla and his associate, Gurjant Singh, were arrested and booked under several serious charges, including illegal possession of weapons and tampering with evidence.

Rise of Arsh Dalla

Dalla, once a local gangster from Dala village of Punjanb’s Moga, climbed the list of India’s most wanted terrorists after taking over the reins of KTF following Nijjar’s assassination last year. He began his criminal career as a local gangster before relocating to Canada in 2020 on a study visa. He returned to Punjab after a dispute with gangster Sukha Lumma. Later, he along with his associates, killed Lumma and fled to Canada again. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Dalla now lives in Surrey, British Columbia, with his family. 

As per sources, Dalla recruited young people from Punjab and Haryana via social media to expand his terror network.

New Delhi:

India will follow up a November 10 request to Canada to extradite terrorist Arshdeep Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, the de facto chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

In a statement on X, the ministry said a court in Canada’s Ontario had listed its extradition request for hearing and that it had sent separate requests to verify financial details as provided last year.

The ministry labelled Dalla a “proclaimed offender” named in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts, including terror financing. He was designated a ‘terrorist’ in January last year and is also an accused in multiple cases filed by the National Investigation Agency.

Delhi also believes Dalla has taken over the reins of the Khalistani terror outfit after Hardeep Nijjar was shot dead. The June 2023 killing of Nijjar – a Canadian citizen – has led to a diplomatic row with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declaring – without proof – that “agents” of India were involved in the murder.

Our response to media queries regarding the arrest of a designated terrorist in Canada:https://t.co/c6CasRuteb pic.twitter.com/XfH4S5UzUr

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 14, 2024

Canada has refused earlier requests by India to hand over Dalla.

Dalla was arrested in Canada’s Halton last month after they were injured in an attack by unknown shooters. Dalla was injured and sought treatment at a local hospital that alerted the cops. The police searched their vehicle – a grey Dodge Durango – and found bullet marks on the SUV, and also found two bullet casings on the floor of the passenger’s seat, suggesting Dalla and Singh also fired back.

READ | Arshdeep Dalla, Hardeep Nijjar’s Aide, Detained In Canada: Sources

A day later, Dalla’s house was searched and a Taurus 9mm handgun, with a loaded magazine, was recovered, as also a rifle, a shotgun, and two high-capacity magazines in a gun safe.

READ | How Gunfight In Canada Led To Khalistani Terrorist Dalla’s Arrest

Dalla and the associate, Gurjant Singh, were arrested and await bail hearings.

Who Is Arsh Dalla?

Dalla is from Moga in Punjab.

A known aide of Nijjar, Dalla is credited with orchestrating multiple targeted killings through a grid of sleeper cell assassins. Among the more high-profile victims of his murderous network was Manohar Lal, a member of the Gurmeet Ram Rahim-led Dera Sacha Sauda in November 2020.

Experts believe Dalla’s sleeper cell network spans three continents – Canada and the United States in North America, parts of Europe, and Dubai, the Philippines and Thailand in Asia.

Sources have told NDTV his vast criminal operation may also be supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, as he is known to be involved in smuggling guns across the Pakistan border.

These are smuggled to Punjab via drone drops. There are also unconfirmed reports of terrorist acts in collaboration with another banned terrorist outfit, the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Dalla-Bishnoi Rivalry

Dalla’s criminal network is believed to have a long-standing rivalry with that led by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who, incredibly, runs his vast syndicate from a jail in Punjab.

The Bishnoi gang shot to focus after the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, and made headlines in April this year after a firing incident outside Bollywood star Salman Khan’s Mumbai home.

READ | “Bishnoi Gang Linked To Indian Government Agents”: Canada’s Claim

The gang also assassinated Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique last month, and was named by Canadian authorities in unsubstantiated allegations against India in connection with Nijjar’s killing.

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