Punjab Police bust drug, arms and explosives network; 7 arrested, heroin and grenade seized
Synopsis
In back-to-back operations, Punjab Police have dismantled two cross-border smuggling networks in Amritsar, arresting 12 people in total and seizing heroin, grenades, assault rifles, and foreign-made pistols. The drone-dropped weapons haul points to a consolidating criminal supply chain that blends narcotics trafficking with weapons distribution — raising the stakes well beyond routine drug enforcement.
Key Takeaways
Punjab Police arrested seven accused on 21 October 2026 , seizing one hand grenade , two pistols , and 3.491 kg of heroin .
FIRs have been registered at Chatiwind and Lopoke police stations in Amritsar .
The accused were allegedly in contact with foreign-based smugglers supplying illegal weapons for criminal distribution.
The previous week, Counter Intelligence Amritsar arrested five people — including father-son duo Gurpreet Singh and Jaskaran Singh — and recovered 13 foreign-made pistols , one assault rifle , and two hand grenades .
Weapons were reportedly retrieved from drone-dropped consignments from across the border, highlighting a growing cross-border smuggling pattern in Punjab.
Punjab Police on Wednesday, 21 October announced the dismantling of a cross-border drug trafficking, illegal arms, and explosives smuggling network, arresting seven accused and recovering one hand grenade, two pistols, and 3.491 kg of heroin. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed the breakthrough, noting that preliminary investigation suggests the accused were allegedly in contact with foreign-based smugglers who were supplying illegal weapons for onward distribution among criminal elements.
What Was Seized and Who Was Arrested
The latest operation yielded one hand grenade, two pistols, and 3.491 kg of heroin from the seven detained individuals. First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered at police stations in Chatiwind and Lopoke in Amritsar. Authorities said further investigation is underway to establish the full extent of the network and map its linkages to overseas operatives.
Last Week's Related Crackdown by Counter Intelligence Amritsar
This arrest comes on the heels of a significant operation the previous week, when Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar busted a separate cross-border arms and explosives smuggling module, detaining five individuals — including a father-son duo. That operation yielded one .30-bore assault rifle, two hand grenades, and 13 foreign-made sophisticated pistols, along with 25 cartridges.
Those arrested were identified as Gurpreet Singh and his son Jaskaran Singh, residents of Ballarwal village in Ajnala, Amritsar; Veenu, a resident of Sagarpur in Batala; Amritpal Singh, a resident of Rasulpur village in Batala; and Gaurav Masih, a resident of Gounspura village in Batala. The recovered pistols included four 9MM Glocks and nine .30-bore pistols. Police also impounded two motorcycles used for logistics movement of consignments.
How the Previous Module Was Busted
According to DGP Yadav, the Amritsar Police received specific intelligence that Gurpreet and Jaskaran were in regular contact with a foreign-based smuggler and had been retrieving drone-dropped consignments of arms, ammunition, and explosives from across the border. They allegedly passed these on to their three associates — Veenu, Amritpal Singh, and Gaurav Masih — for wider distribution.
Intelligence inputs specifically indicated that the father-son duo were scheduled to meet associates near Teri village in Ajnala to hand over a consignment. Police moved swiftly, apprehending all five on the spot along with the contraband.
The Broader Security Pattern
The two operations together reflect a persistent and escalating pattern of cross-border drone-based smuggling into Punjab, a trend that security agencies have flagged repeatedly over recent years. Notably, the simultaneous trafficking of narcotics alongside weapons and explosives suggests organised criminal networks are consolidating supply chains — a concern that goes beyond conventional drug enforcement into national security. Further investigation, according to DGP Yadav, will attempt to trace connections to foreign handlers and map the distribution network inside the state.
Point of View
With drones now routinely used to bypass ground-level surveillance. The convergence of narcotics and weapons in the same consignments is the more alarming detail: it suggests criminal networks are diversifying revenue streams and arming themselves simultaneously. The foreign-handler angle, cited by DGP Yadav in both operations, demands scrutiny of whether intelligence-sharing between Indian agencies and border surveillance has kept pace with the threat. Operational successes notwithstanding, the frequency of these modules points to a systemic vulnerability that arrests alone will not resolve.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Punjab Police seize in the 21 October 2026 operation?
Punjab Police seized one hand grenade , two pistols , and 3.491 kg of heroin and arrested seven accused after dismantling a drug trafficking, arms, and explosives smuggling network. FIRs were registered at Chatiwind and Lopoke police stations in Amritsar.
Who were the accused arrested in the earlier Counter Intelligence Amritsar operation?
The five accused arrested the previous week were Gurpreet Singh and his son Jaskaran Singh of Ballarwal village in Ajnala; Veenu of Sagarpur, Batala; Amritpal Singh of Rasulpur village, Batala; and Gaurav Masih of Gounspura village, Batala. They were apprehended while attempting to deliver a drone-dropped consignment of arms near Teri village in Ajnala.
How were the weapons being smuggled into Punjab?
According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, the weapons and explosives were being dropped across the border via drones and retrieved by operatives on the Indian side for onward distribution. This drone-based supply chain has been a recurring method flagged by Punjab security agencies in recent operations.
What weapons were recovered in the Counter Intelligence Amritsar operation last week?
The previous operation yielded one .30-bore assault rifle , 13 foreign-made pistols (four 9MM Glocks and nine .30-bore), two hand grenades , and 25 cartridges , along with two motorcycles used for transporting consignments.
What is the current status of the investigation?
DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed that further investigation is underway to uncover the complete network and establish linkages to foreign-based handlers. Authorities aim to map the full distribution chain operating inside Punjab.
