Police said the shooters are prominent members of Arzoo and Anmol Bishnoi-Harry Boxer syndicate, which is being operated from Canada and the US. The syndicate had put the Punjab and Haryana Police on high alert after allegedly murdering a bar and restaurant owner in Amritsar in September and a national-level kabaddi player in Panchkula in June. The syndicate, which was targeting kabaddi players and businessmen to extort them, was also allegedly involved in the murder of a former friend of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in Chandigarh earlier this month.

Kushwah said that Piyush and Ankush were among the main shooters in the murder of Lawrence’s former friend Inderpreet Singh, alias Parry, who was killed in Chandigarh’s Sector 26 on December 1. Parry’s murder was allegedly carried out against the backdrop of a gang war between Lawrence and Goldy Brar groups.

The Chandigarh Police will bring the assailants arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell on production warrant to interrogate them in connection with Parry’s murder.

“The accused arrested by the Delhi Police in the Inderpreet Singh Parry murder case shall be brought to Chandigarh on production warrant for detailed interrogation,” said Inspector General of Police, Chandigarh, Pushpendra Kumar.

Chandigarh Police officials said that the accused already arrested in the Parry murder case will be confronted with the newly arrested shooters, including Piyush Piplani, Ankush Solanki and any other accused found involved, to establish the complete chain of events, conspiracy and roles of each accused. “All arrested accused will be confronted with each other to verify statements and gather further evidence in the case,” a senior police officer said.

The IG added that coordination with the Delhi Police is underway and further investigation will focus on identifying the wider criminal network, funding, logistics and any local support extended to the shooters.

The Chandigarh Police is also examining links of the accused with organised crime syndicates operating across states.

Piyush and Ankush were also involved in the murder of kabaddi player Sonu Nolta on June 5 at Panchkula in Haryana, said the police.

“Piyush was the lead shooter in both the murders, while Kunwarbir was the driver of the tail and getaway car in which Piyush and Ankush travelled to kill Parry. The three are facing six cases each related to murder, extortion and the Arms Act in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh,” Kushwah said.

Police said that after Parry’s murder, Arzoo and Anmol Bishnoi-Harry Boxer gang claimed responsibility, maintaining that Parry was killed in revenge for their member who was allegedly murdered by the Goldy Brar gang in the UAE in November.

Parry’s killing is seen as the first murder carried out after Lawrence and Goldy gangs split earlier this year.

Following the murder, Goldy released an audio message stating that Parry was not involved in any gang activity. He also claimed that Parry was Lawrence’s college friend, who had quit crime and recently got married.

Kushwah said that Santokh was wanted in the murder of Lion Bar and Restaurant owner Ashutosh Mahajan, alias Ashu, which took place in Amritsar in September. Lovepreet Singh, meanwhile, had recently been released on bail and joined the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

“Kunwarbir, Kapil and Lovepreet were arrested near Ring Road at Shanti Van, where they had arrived looking for Kunwarbir’s earlier accommodation on Tuesday. Piyush and Ankush were arrested near Sarai Kale Khan bus stand the same day. Four firearms and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from them,” Kushwah said.

Police said the accused had been directed to assemble in Delhi to execute an unknown target from among several people who had received threat and extortion calls from the syndicate.