In a major breakthrough, Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested seven alleged shooters affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a high-profile criminal syndicate notorious for violence, extortion, and links to international crime. The arrests took place across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi over the past 48 hours, the NDTV reported.
The operation resulted in the seizure of six semi-automatic weapons and a cache of ammunition, and officials are interrogating the shooters about their involvement in the recent murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui, an attack near actor Salman Khan’s residence, and the 2022 killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
Details of the Arrests and Criminal Operations
Delhi Police sources revealed that these arrests are just one part of a larger strategy to dismantle the Bishnoi gang, which allegedly runs a vast criminal network coordinated by Lawrence Bishnoi from his cell in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail.
Among the seven arrested shooters, some were reportedly given a list of new targets, including one individual in Haryana and another in Rajasthan, approved by Arzoo Bishnoi, a prominent figure within the gang.
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The Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate is implicated in numerous violent crimes, from homicides to extortion rackets. Canadian authorities have also reported that the Bishnoi gang has ties to “agents” within the Indian government, further underscoring the network’s extensive reach.
Baba Siddiqui Murder and Other High-Profile Crimes
The gang’s notoriety grew following the brutal murder of Baba Siddiqui, where the shooters used chilli powder to disable a police guard before attacking Siddiqui. Delhi Police have arrested several members tied to Siddiqui’s killing, including two individuals identified as Gurmel Baljit Singh, 23, and Dharmaraj Kashyap, 19. However, the main shooter, Shivkumar Gautam, and two other suspects remain at large.
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The gang also planned and executed a gunfire incident outside Bollywood star Salman Khan’s residence. Among those arrested in connection with the attack on Khan’s farmhouse is Vishal, a shooter with known ties to another Bishnoi lieutenant, Rohit Godara, who reportedly fled to Canada using a fake passport after a Rajput leader’s killing in December.
Bishnoi’s Modus Operandi and Network of Shooters
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang operates through a well-organized system that includes a network of over 700 shooters and dedicated teams handling logistics, legal matters, and intelligence gathering. Orders are believed to be routed through Bishnoi’s brother, Anmol, who has been added to the National Investigation Agency’s most-wanted list with a ₹10 lakh bounty on his head. Anmol Bishnoi is also wanted for his role in the shooting near Salman Khan’s home.
The Bishnoi gang’s profile has grown significantly, becoming infamous for targeting high-profile individuals, including celebrities and wealthy businesspeople, in an effort to extort money. Gang members frequently employ professional hitmen to intimidate targets and ensure compliance.
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Public and Political Response
These recent arrests are part of a wider crackdown on organized crime, with the government intensifying efforts to curtail the gang’s influence across India. As police work to capture remaining suspects, the public’s attention remains fixed on whether these arrests will mark the beginning of the end for Lawrence Bishnoi’s violent criminal empire.
