The NIA said the nexus took advantage of the border location of their hideouts. (Representational)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out fresh searches at two premises linked to gangsters in Haryana as part of its ongoing probe to dismantle the emerging nexus between them and terrorists based within and outside the country, an official said on Wednesday.
An NIA spokesperson said the searches were conducted jointly with the Haryana Police at the premises of Chhotu Bhaat of village Chautala and Jagga, sarpanch of village Takhatmal, in Sirsa during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to the recovery of illicit arms.
The official said the seizure included two pistols, one rifle, one gun and over hundred rounds of assorted ammunition, cartridges and sharp-edged weapons.
"This fourth round of searches is part of a crackdown on top gangsters and their weapons suppliers based in Haryana and Punjab, following investigations against such organised criminal syndicates and networks after they were found getting linked with terror outfits and networks," the spokesperson said.
The NIA said a few of the most desperate gang leaders and their associates based in India and abroad, who are spearheading and carrying out such terror and criminal activities, were identified and booked in two cases registered by the agency in August.
The spokesperson said the present searches were aimed at dismantling the illegal arms support infrastructure, apart from the hideouts of absconders of Bambiha led terror-criminal syndicate.
The NIA said the nexus was taking advantage of the border location of their hideouts. Further investigations will continue to dismantle such networks as well as their funding and support infrastructure.
"The NIA investigations also revealed that such criminal acts were not isolated local incidents but there was a deep-rooted conspiracy amongst terrorists, gangsters and drug smuggling cartels, weapon suppliers, hideouts and networks, who were operating from both within and outside the country," the spokesperson said.
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