Australia link to extortion ring as 4 held in Ludhiana’s Payal area shooting probe.

Khanna: The local police have arrested four more members of an Australia-linked organised extortion gang responsible for issuing death threats and opening fire on a local trader in the Payal area on April 14.This breakthrough follows the earlier arrest of Saudagar Singh, the father of Shaganpreet Singh, who was previously a manager for the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. The syndicate reportedly demanded ₹1 crore from a local commission agent, escalating their threats to a daylight shooting when the payment was not met.The investigation, led by Khanna superintendent of police (SP) Darpan Ahluwalia, utilised technical surveillance and human intelligence to track the suspects. The breakthrough occurred during a patrol near Sangam Palace, where officers spotted Omesh Kumar, also known as Chhaga, acting suspiciously. In a desperate attempt to evade capture, Omesh climbed onto the roof of an abandoned building but was apprehended after he slipped and fell. During questioning, he confessed to the shooting and identified his accomplices.Police have now uncovered a sophisticated international network with significant links to Australia. Investigators revealed that Shaganpreet Singh and another associate, Jagpreet Singh, are residing in Australia and allegedly directing criminal activities from abroad. Members of their family in Punjab are accused of providing these overseas handlers with reconnaissance data and target information, while the network maintained operational ties with gangster Doni Bal.Prior to the April 14 attack, the group reportedly held a planning meeting at a residence in Sahnewal, where they received final instructions from Shaganpreet via a phone call. The gang used a private vehicle to conduct a "recce" of the grain market to ensure a smooth execution of the crime. Along with Omesh Kumar, police have detained Gurvinder Singh and Gaurav Gola for their roles in facilitating the shooting.Authorities believe this gang has been systematic in targeting the business community, noting that several other traders and commission agents in the Khanna and Doraha areas have recently received similar extortion demands from the same group. Khanna SP Ahluwalia has urged the public to report any threatening calls immediately, as the police continue their raids to dismantle the remaining cells of the syndicate and investigate the wider financial trail.
Get real-time updates and result insights on the UP Board Result 2026 and Assam HS Class 12th Result 2026.