Did Punjab Police Dismantle a Pakistan-Linked Arms and Narco Network?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Punjab Police dismantled a major arms and narcotics network.
- Five arrests were made, and illegal firearms and drugs were seized.
- The operation underscores the issue of cross-border crime.
- Investigations are ongoing to trace connections and handlers.
- Two cases have been registered in relation to the arrests.
Chandigarh, Nov 16 (NationPress) The Punjab Police have successfully dismantled an arms and narcotics network associated with Pakistan, leading to the apprehension of five individuals. This operation yielded the seizure of six advanced pistols and 1.01 kg of heroin, as revealed by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, on Sunday.
The arrested suspects include Akash Masih, Prince, Karanbir Singh (also known as Karan), Sukhwinder Singh, all hailing from Amritsar (Rural), and Gurbhej Singh (alias Bheja) from Tarn Taran.
The seized firearms consist of five .30 bore pistols and one 9MM Glock. All detainees are from villages near the international border and were reportedly receiving shipments as per instructions from their handlers.
According to DGP Yadav, initial investigations indicate that these individuals were coordinating with handlers based in Pakistan through social media platforms to procure and distribute illegal arms and narcotics within Punjab.
The DGP noted that comprehensive investigations are ongoing to trace both backward and forward linkages to identify handlers and eliminate the entire network.
In operational details shared by Commissioner of Police (Amritsar) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, it was disclosed that police teams apprehended Akash Masih and Prince at a checkpoint near Chheharta, seizing one .30 bore pistol and one Glock 9mm pistol.
Following technical leads, police teams arrested Karanbir Singh and Sukhwinder Singh, recovering three .30 bore pistols along with 1 kg and 10 grams of heroin. Additionally, based on Karanbir Singh's information, Gurbhej Singh was apprehended, and one .30 bore pistol was recovered from him.
The Commissioner emphasized that after acquiring these illegal weapons, the accused were planning to distribute them to criminal factions in the region.
In connection with this case, two separate cases have been registered: one under Section 25 of the Arms Act at the police station in Chheharta, Amritsar, and another under Sections 25 (1-B) and 25 of the Arms Act as well as Sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act at the cantonment police station in Amritsar.