A Canadian court has granted bail to Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de facto chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force, amid pressure from India for his extradition. The Khalistani terrorist was granted bail on the condition of furnishing a surety bond of $30,000. The next hearing of his case is scheduled for February 24, 2025.
Dalla was arrested in Halton, Canada in October after he was injured in an attack by unknown shooters. Since then India has been trying to extradite him from Canada. Sources said the Khalistani terrorist was cleared despite non-cooperation from Indian authorities.
He said that despite the bail order, India will continue to discuss the issue with Canadian authorities.
India’s pressure for Dalla’s extradition
Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that a court in Ontario, Canada, had listed his extradition request for hearing and had sent separate requests to verify the financial details he provided last year. The ministry termed Dalla a “proclaimed offender” named in over 50 cases of terrorist acts, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist financing. He was designated a ‘terrorist’ in January last year and is also an accused in several cases filed by the National Investigation Agency.
According to sources, Khalistani terrorists are in direct contact with Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. Delhi also believes that after the shooting death of Hardeep Nijjar in June 2023, he has taken over the command of the Khalistani terrorist organization.
Arsh Dalla’s arrest
Sources said Dalla, a native of Moga district of Punjab, was arrested in Ontario, Canada on October 28. According to sources, Arsh Dalla was passing through Halton area in a car with his partner Gurjant Singh, when suddenly the car caught fire. Weapon kept in the vehicle.
He said, “The bullet hit Dalla’s right hand and Singh was also injured. He was admitted to the hospital, where officials alerted the police about him. When questioned about the injuries, Dalla told the police. Told a fake story of attack on him.”
During the investigation, Canadian police searched his vehicle – a gray Dodge Durango – and found bullet holes on the SUV, and also found two bullet 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, as well as a rifle, a shotgun, and two high-capacity magazines in a gun safe were recovered. Dalla and his associate Gurjant Singh were arrested and booked under serious charges including possession of illegal weapons and tampering with evidence.
Rise of Arsh Dalla
Dalla, once a local gangster from Dala village in Moga, Punjab, joined the list of India’s most wanted terrorists after taking over the reins of KTF following the killing of Nijjar last year. He began his criminal career as a local gangster before relocating to Canada in 2020 on a study visa. He returned to Punjab after a dispute with gangster Sukha Lumma. Later, he along with his associates murdered Lumma and then fled to Canada. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Dalla now lives with his family in Surrey, British Columbia.
According to sources, Dalla recruited youth from Punjab and Haryana through social media to expand his terror network.
