Remote town in Punjab’s Tarn Taran turns to ex-servicemen to keep gangsters away

Chohla Sahib, a remote town in Punjab's Tarn Taran district, has turned to ex-servicemen to combat gangster threats. Situated near the Beas River, the town's market spans a short, L-shaped road. Guards from the military patrol the street around the clock, as repeated ransom calls have crippled local trade. Shopkeepers, unwilling to speak on camera, reveal they fund the ex-servicemen out of their own pockets.

Traditionally, gangsters focused on major businesses, but now they target ordinary vendors, including electricians, mobile shop owners, and small retail owners. Recently, two people were murdered in a nearby village, suspected to be gang-related. Gurwinder Singh, alias Afridi, a former deportee, is a key figure in the extortion racket. He is currently in police custody, with investigators aiming to dismantle his network.

Residents are surprised by the town's vulnerability, given its historical significance and limited economic potential. The Dasuwal gang, led by Prabh Dasuwal, is believed to operate as a broader network within the town. In response, locals have adopted extreme measures, such as avoiding WhatsApp for communication, using secondary numbers, and hiring ex-servicemen for protection. A shopkeeper's attempt to pay a ransom of Rs 10 lakh ended with his murder in July 2024.

In October 2025, two motorcycle-borne attackers targeted Congress block president Bhupinder Kumar Naiyar and Palwinder Singh, alias Pindi, killing both. Another incident occurred when two masked individuals opened fire on a doctor after he refused to pay an extortion demand. Police have engaged in an ongoing exchange of fire with the gangsters in Chohla Sahib.