Ahmedabad: A joint team of Ahmedabad Crime Branch, Ahmedabad Rural Special Operations Group (SOG) and Delhi Police has arrested an alleged operative of the Goldy Brar gang from Vejalpur, officers said on Thursday.The accused, identified as Aarif alias Pistol, a high-profile fugitive, is wanted in connection with over 11 criminal offences including attempt to murder, firing and extortion. He was nabbed following targeted intelligence operations across multiple jurisdictions.According to investigators, Aarif allegedly acted as an operational link for the syndicate and facilitated threat calls and extortion rackets on behalf of gangster Goldy Brar, who is believed to be based in Canada. Police suspect that some of the extortion operations and communications were routed through Dubai.Officials said Aarif had been evading arrest by travelling to different states, frequently changing his location and assuming different identities. The arrest came after investigators gathered intelligence on his movements and traced him to Vejalpur, where the joint team launched a late-night operation.Police are now questioning Aarif to establish the extent of his involvement in the alleged extortion network. Investigators are also trying to identify his local associates and trace the financial channels the gang allegedly used to collect or transfer extortion money.Ajit Rajian, deputy commissioner of police, Crime Branch, said that Aarif’s arrest marks a vital breakthrough in dismantling the gang’s extortion channels, with interrogation currently underway to uncover its financial networks. Crime Branch officials said he is being questioned regarding those who assisted him and the wider network involved in the extortion operations.
