A Canadian court has released Khalistan terrorist Arsh Dalla on bail over India’s push for his extradition

Ottawa:

A Canadian court has granted bail to Khalistan terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, the de facto leader of the outlawed Khalistan Tiger Force, amid India’s insistence on his extradition. The Khalistan terrorist was released on bail on the condition of posting a bond in the amount of 30,000 dollars. The next hearing in his case is scheduled for February 24, 2025.

Dalla was arrested in Halton, Canada, in October after being injured in an attack by unknown persons. Since then, India has been trying to extradite him from Canada. Sources said that terrorist Khalistani was given despite refusing to cooperate with Indian authorities.

They said that despite the bail order, India would continue to follow up on the issue with the Canadian authorities.

India insists on Dalla’s extradition

The Foreign Office said last month that a court in Ontario, Canada, had included his extradition request and sent separate requests to verify financial records, as provided last year. The ministry has named Dalla as a “proclaimed criminal” in more than 50 cases of murder, attempted murder, extortion and terrorism, including terror financing. He was declared a “terrorist” in January last year and is also an accused in several cases brought by the National Investigation Agency.

According to sources, the Khalistan terrorist was in direct contact with Pakistan’s ISI intelligence. Delhi also believes that he took over the reins of Khalistan terrorism after Hardeep Nijar was shot dead in June 2023.

Arrest of Arsh Dalla

Dalla, a native of Punjab’s Moga district, was arrested in Ontario, Canada on October 28, sources said. According to sources, Arsh Dalla was passing through Halton area in a car with his partner Gurjant Singh when an accidental fire occurred from a weapon kept in the car.

“The bullet hit Dalla’s right hand and Singh was also injured. They were admitted to a hospital where the authorities informed the police about them. When questioned about the injuries, Dalla told the police a false story about being attacked,” they said.

During the investigation, Canadian police searched their vehicle – a gray Dodge Durango – and found bullet marks on the SUV, as well as two shell casings on the floor of the passenger seat.

A day later, Dalla’s home was searched and a Taurus 9mm handgun with a loaded magazine was seized, along with a rifle, a shotgun and two high-capacity magazines in a gun safe. Dalla and his associate Gurjant Singh were arrested and charged with several serious charges, including illegal possession of weapons and tampering with evidence.

The rise of Arsh Dalla

Dalla, once a local gangster from Dala village in Punjab’s Moga, rose up the list of India’s most wanted terrorists after taking over the reins of the KTF following Nijar’s killing last year. He began his criminal career as a local gangster before moving to Canada in 2020 on a study visa. He returned to Punjab after a dispute with gangster Sukha Lumma. Later, he and his accomplices killed Lumma and fled to Canada again. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Dalla now lives in Surrey, British Columbia, with his family.

According to sources, Dalla recruited youths from Punjab and Haryana through social media to expand his terror network.