TORONTO: Arsh Dalla, a Khlaistani terrorist and close aide of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has been arrested in Canada, the sources said. Dalla, a resident of Punjab's Moga, was taken into custody over a shootout in Canada on October 28. Indian security agencies have also received information that a shootout took place in Canada on 28 October in which Arsh Dalla was also present and he has been taken into custody.
Indian security agencies are looking into more details and facts about the development. However, officially the Canadian police or government has not confirmed the arrest or detention. The arrest comes amid the estranged diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Ottawa. Notably, Dalla was the protégé of KTF chief Hardeep Nijjar, whose murder is at the centre of a diplomatic tussle. Dalla was designated as a terrorist by the Home Ministry in January 2023.
According to local sources, Dalla was taken into custody and released on bail.
Who is Arsh Dalla?
Dalla is involved in many cases of targeted killings, extortion and terrorist activities and is proscribed under UAPA as a designated terrorist. His associates had, shot dead Manohar Lal s/o Asaram, a Dera Sacha Sauda follower (November 2020). He was also involved in hatching a conspiracy to kidnap and kill Shakti Singh, another Dera Sacha Sauda follower.
In a Facebook post, he had taken responsibility for the murder of Paramjeet Singh, 45, an electrician from Bardeke village, Jagraon. Based on the interrogation of his associates, he is an expert in radicalisation and motivating the youth to commit terror/crime in India, in association with the wanted terrorist Nijjar (now dead). He also uses Facebook for recruiting and instigating youth to participate in his criminal/terror activities. A lookout circular has been issued against him by Punjab Police.
According to sources in Indian security agencies, Arshdeep Singh Dalla or Arsh Dalla lives in Canada with his wife.
Punjab Police’s Ongoing Operations Against Dalla’s Network
Punjab Police have made significant strides in dismantling Dalla’s criminal network, having arrested several of his close aides in recent months. During these operations, police recovered large quantities of explosives, including IEDs, hand grenades, and other arms and ammunition. These busts have disrupted Dalla’s operations in Punjab, but his continued influence over criminal activities in the region remains a concern for law enforcement.
As developments unfold, Indian authorities are closely monitoring Dalla’s case and working in coordination with Canadian officials to gather more details and pursue further legal actions. His arrest marks a key step in addressing the Khalistani terrorism issue and disrupting the cross-border activities of militants operating from foreign bases.