Punjab Police brings back gangster Gurwinder alias Afridi from Ethiopia after 10-month manhunt

The Punjab Police has brought back wanted gangster Gurwinder Singh, alias Afridi, from Ethiopia following a 10-month international manhunt, marking the force's first successful operation to secure the return of a fugitive from an African country.

Afridi, a resident of Tut village in Tarn Taran district, arrived at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport during the intervening night of November 7 and 8. A team of the Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) took him into custody and was bringing him to Punjab to face legal proceedings.

The gangster, who carried a reward of ₹5 lakh announced by the Punjab government, is wanted in 35 criminal cases, including five murder cases, attempted murder, extortion and offences under the Arms Act, according to police officials.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations indicated that Afridi was allegedly directing targeted killings, extortion-related firing incidents and organised criminal activities in Punjab while operating from abroad.

How Afridi evaded arrest across multiple countries

According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, Afridi left India through Mumbai airport on March 31, 2025, and travelled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using a fake passport.

The passport had allegedly been obtained using the identity and details of a resident of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. It was issued by the Regional Passport Office in Lucknow on February 12, 2025.

After initially staying in the UAE, Afridi allegedly attempted to reach Mexico through Istanbul in Turkey. However, he was deported back to the UAE.

He subsequently entered Kenya in April 2026, travelled to Angola in June 2026 and moved to Ethiopia in November 2026, where he was eventually detained on November 6.

Yadav said the gangster had been constantly evading law enforcement agencies across several continents. The Punjab Police secured an Interpol Red Notice against him and regularly shared information about his alleged false identity and movements with central agencies. Seven Interpol references were also issued during the pursuit.

Afridi's alleged links to five high-profile murders

Described by the police as a key kingpin of the Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang, Afridi is accused of overseeing criminal operations in Punjab from abroad, including targeted killings and extortion-related firing incidents.

His name has been linked to five high-profile murders in the state. These include the killing of Aam Aadmi Party sarpanch Rajwinder Singh, alias Raj Talwandi, in October 2024; a 12-year-old boy in March 2025; Vicky Chugh in March 2025; Jaswant Singh in May 2025; and Congress block president Gurmel Singh in September 2025.

He is also wanted in connection with an attack on a church in Thakkarpura village of Tarn Taran district on August 31, 2022.

During the incident, four masked men allegedly held the church's security guard at gunpoint, vandalised statues of Lord Jesus and Mother Mary, and set the pastor's car on fire before fleeing.

In June 2024, the Amritsar Rural Police arrested Jaswinder Singh, alias Munshi, describing him as a key accused in the church attack. During his initial questioning, Munshi allegedly identified Afridi and two others as his associates in the incident. The police subsequently began searching for the remaining suspects.

Operation SHAHID: How Punjab Police tracked the gangster

Afridi's return was secured under Operation SHAHID, a 10-month-long intelligence-led international manhunt conducted by the Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force in coordination with the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) of the Counter Intelligence wing and central agencies.

According to Yadav, the operation involved sustained surveillance, intelligence gathering and tracking of the fugitive across multiple countries in Asia, South America and Africa.

The operation was conducted in close coordination with national and international agencies, with the Ministry of External Affairs and other central agencies playing a role in facilitating the gangster's deportation from Ethiopia.

"This marks the successful culmination of 'Operation SHAHID', a 10-month-long intelligence-led international manhunt involving sustained surveillance, strategic intelligence gathering and tracking across multiple countries in Asia, South America and Africa, executed in close coordination with national and international agencies," Yadav said.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Ashish Chaudhary, Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell, who oversaw international coordination and follow-up efforts.

It was led by Bikramjit Singh Brar, Superintendent of Police (SP), Anti-Gangster Task Force/OFTEC Operations.

The Punjab Police described Afridi's deportation as a significant breakthrough in its efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks and bring gangsters operating from foreign countries to justice. The case also marks the first time the state police has successfully secured the deportation of a wanted fugitive from an African country.