The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried out searches at a residence in Punjab’s Mansa district as part of an investigation into suspected links between a resident and Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, officials familiar with the development said.
The operation was conducted at Kulana village, where NIA personnel arrived in the early hours and examined the premises for several hours. The agency is understood to be investigating past communication allegedly exchanged between the resident, identified as Yadvinder Singh, and Bhatti.
Sources said investigators focused on digital evidence during the search and examined electronic devices to verify the nature of the contact. The probe is aimed at establishing whether the communication extended beyond casual interaction and if there was any larger network or activity connected to it.
Speaking to reporters, Yadvinder Singh acknowledged that he had interacted with Shahzad Bhatti nearly two years ago. He said the two had communicated through chats and phone conversations at that time, but claimed that no contact had taken place thereafter.
He further said that NIA officials had previously visited his residence about a month ago in connection with the same inquiry. During Tuesday’s operation, officials reportedly collected information related to multiple mobile numbers, reviewed call records, and inspected mobile phones used by family members.
Yadvinder maintained that the agency did not recover any objectionable material from his house. He added that investigators had asked him to appear before the NIA office in Chandigarh on June 15 for further questioning.
Residents said Yadvinder owns agricultural land in the village and has been known in the area for several years. Some villagers alleged that he has struggled with substance abuse, though no official agency has linked those claims to the ongoing investigation.
The search forms part of the NIA’s continuing efforts to examine suspected cross-border contacts and communication channels involving individuals based in India. Officials have not yet disclosed any findings from Tuesday’s operation, and further investigation is in progress.