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Punjab Police have brought wanted gangster Gurwinder Singh alias Afridi into custody after his deportation from Ethiopia.
The operation followed a 10-month international search involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav announced on November 8 that Afridi had been deported on November 6 under Operation SHAHID, an intelligence-led initiative launched on January 20, 2026, on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Police identified Afridi as a key figure in the Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang and linked him to more than 30 serious criminal cases.
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How Did Afridi Escape India?
According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, Afridi allegedly obtained a passport using another person’s identity to evade Indian law enforcement agencies. On February 12, 2025, he secured a passport in the name of Vijender Singh, carrying an address in Gorakhpur. The document was issued through the Regional Passport Office in Lucknow.
Using this passport, Afridi travelled to the United Arab Emirates on March 31, 2025. Punjab Police subsequently established his whereabouts through human intelligence and developed further information about his movements abroad. Investigators continued tracking him as part of the international operation.
How Was He Tracked and Deported?
During his time abroad, Afridi allegedly acquired a forged Mexican passport and attempted to convince foreign authorities that he was a Mexican national. The attempt failed to prevent his detention. According to the Punjab Police chief, he was detained and deported back to the UAE before eventually being brought into Indian custody following his deportation from Ethiopia.
The operation involved Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force and the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell of Counter Intelligence, Punjab. Central agencies and Indian diplomatic officials in Ethiopia also assisted. Their coordinated efforts led to Afridi’s deportation on November 6, ending the prolonged international search.
What Criminal Cases Are Linked to Afridi?
DGP Yadav said more than seven Interpol notices had been issued against Afridi during the international manhunt. Police have identified him as a key figure in the Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang and alleged his involvement in more than 30 serious criminal cases. His interrogation has also brought additional cases to light, according to police.
Police records indicate that the additional cases include five murders. Authorities said Operation SHAHID was launched to locate wanted gangsters operating outside India and bring them into custody. Afridi’s return marks the conclusion of a 10-month search conducted through intelligence gathering and sustained coordination between domestic and international agencies. The operation involved tracking his movements across international borders despite his alleged use of multiple identities and forged travel documents.
