Gangster wanted in Moga cash van robbery and murder arrested

On May 23 last year, Talwinder and his aides killed a security guard on the Kotkapura bypass and took away ₹60 lakh from a taxi hired by the Oriental Bank of Commerce to transport cash to Baghapurana.

The police on Tuesday arrested a gangster wanted in Moga bank cash van robbery.

Talwinder Singh, alias Mandeep, alias Nikku, of Sudhar was arrested at a checkpoint on Zira road in Moga.

On May 23 last year, Talwinder and his aides killed a security guard on the Kotkapura bypass and took away ₹60 lakh from a taxi hired by the Oriental Bank of Commerce to transport cash to Baghapurana.

Talwinder is close associate of gangster Gagan, a resident of Hathur village in Ludhiana, and was involved in many robberies and other crimes. The police have recovered ₹50,000, 1kg of intoxicant powder, a pistol and three live cartridges from his possession.

Addressing a press conference, Moga senior superintendent of police (SSP) Raj Jit Singh said a police team led by Badhni Kalan police station house officer Kikkar Singh arrested Talwinder when he was going somewhere on his motorcycle.

“Besides cash van robbery, Talwinder is involved in several other crimes, including attempt to murder, extortions and car snatching,” SSP said.

Talwinder is seventh accused arrested in the case and police have so far recovered ₹18.5 lakh of total ₹60 lakh robbed, while other accused persons including kingpin Gagan Hathur and his aide Navdeep Singh, alias Navi, are still absconding.