Gangster Gurwinder alias Afridi deported from Ethiopia after 10-month manhunt
Synopsis
A Punjab Police operation spanning Asia, South America, and Africa ended with gangster Gurwinder alias Afridi — kingpin of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang — being deported from Ethiopia after a 10-month international manhunt. The case signals an expanding capability for Indian state police forces to pursue fugitives across continents in coordination with the MEA.
Key Takeaways
Gurwinder alias Afridi , a key figure in the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang , was deported from Ethiopia to India.
The operation, dubbed Operation SHAHID , lasted 10 months and spanned countries across Asia , South America , and Africa .
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed the breakthrough in a post on X on 8 November 2026 .
The Punjab government had announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for information leading to his arrest.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and central agencies were credited for enabling the international cooperation.
Further investigation is underway to map the full extent of Gurwinder's alleged criminal network in Punjab .
Punjab Police, in coordination with central agencies, have secured the deportation of gangster Gurwinder alias Afridi from Ethiopia following a 10-month international manhunt conducted under Operation SHAHID. The breakthrough, announced on Sunday, 8 November 2026, comes ahead of Diwali and marks one of Punjab's most significant cross-border law enforcement successes in recent years.
Key Developments
Gurwinder alias Afridi is identified as a key kingpin of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang, a criminal network linked to extortion and organised crime across Punjab. The Punjab government had earlier announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for credible information leading to his arrest, underscoring the threat he posed to public security in the state.
The deportation was confirmed by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, who shared details of the operation in a post on X. 'Anti-Gangster Task Force Punjab, in coordination with the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell of Counter Intelligence, Punjab with the support of Central Agencies, secures the deportation of Gurwinder alias Afridi, a key kingpin of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang, from Ethiopia following a 10-month-long international manhunt under Operation SHAHID,' DGP Yadav said.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to DGP Yadav, the operation involved sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tracking across multiple countries spanning Asia, South America, and Africa before Gurwinder was eventually located in Ethiopia. The Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell of Counter Intelligence, Punjab played a central role in coordinating the cross-border chase. DGP Yadav credited the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other central agencies for enabling the international cooperation that made the deportation possible.
'We thank the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and all other central agencies as part of this international co-operation,' DGP Yadav added.
What Punjab Police Said
The DGP reiterated that the Punjab Police remain committed to dismantling gangster networks, preventing organised crime, and ensuring peace and security across the state. This case is notably part of a broader campaign to pursue fugitive criminals who exploit international borders to evade Indian law enforcement — a trend that has tested state police forces increasingly in recent years.
What Happens Next
Investigators say further inquiry is underway to establish the full extent of Gurwinder's alleged criminal activities and the operational reach of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang within Punjab. Authorities are expected to pursue leads emerging from his interrogation to identify associates and disrupt remaining criminal networks linked to the gang.
Point of View
But it also surfaces a structural challenge: gangsters affiliated with Punjab-based criminal networks have increasingly used international safe havens — routing through multiple continents — to stay beyond reach. The fact that a state police force needed MEA support and a 10-month chase across three continents to bring back one accused speaks to how sophisticated these flight networks have become. The larger test for Punjab Police is whether Gurwinder's interrogation yields actionable intelligence on the gang's remaining hierarchy — because deporting a kingpin who has had 10 months to insulate his network may deliver less than the headlines suggest.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gurwinder alias Afridi?
Gurwinder alias Afridi is a gangster and key kingpin of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang, a criminal network linked to extortion and organised crime in Punjab. The Punjab government had announced a ₹5 lakh reward for information leading to his arrest.
What is Operation SHAHID?
Operation SHAHID is a Punjab Police-led initiative under which the Anti-Gangster Task Force, in coordination with central agencies, tracked and pursued fugitive gangsters operating from foreign countries. The operation led to Gurwinder alias Afridi's deportation from Ethiopia after a 10-month international manhunt.
How was Gurwinder tracked down in Ethiopia?
According to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, the operation involved sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tracking across multiple countries in Asia, South America, and Africa before Gurwinder was eventually located and deported from Ethiopia.
Who was involved in securing the deportation?
The Anti-Gangster Task Force Punjab worked alongside the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell of Counter Intelligence, Punjab, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and other central agencies to secure the deportation through international cooperation.
What happens next in the investigation?
Further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of Gurwinder's alleged involvement in criminal activities and the operational reach of the Doni Bal–Prabh Dassuwal gang within Punjab. Authorities are expected to use leads from his interrogation to identify and apprehend associates.
