Did Punjab Police Dismantle a Cross-Border Illegal Arms Smuggling Network Linked to Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police has successfully disrupted a major arms smuggling network.
- Ten sophisticated pistols were seized during the operation.
- The arrested operative has a history of narcotics smuggling.
- Links to a Pakistan-based smuggler were uncovered.
- Ongoing investigations aim to trace further connections.
Chandigarh, July 17 (NationPress) The Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Punjab Police in Amritsar has successfully dismantled a cross-border illegal arms smuggling operation with connections to Pakistan, apprehending one of its operatives after seizing ten .30 bore advanced pistols along with magazines, as confirmed by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Thursday.
The detained individual has been identified as Harjinder Singh, hailing from Dall village in Tarn Taran.
Authorities stated that he is a known narcotics trafficker, with two cases registered under the NDPS Act and was recently released on bail.
This operation follows a similar bust by CI Amritsar two weeks prior, where three operatives—Sarabjit Singh and Kulwinder Singh from Ferozepur, and Ashmandeep Singh from Tarn Taran—were arrested. They were found in possession of eight sophisticated weapons, 1 kg of heroin, and ₹2.9 lakh in drug money.
DGP Yadav disclosed that initial investigations suggest the accused collaborated with a smuggler based in Pakistan, who utilized drones to transport weapon shipments across the border.
These arms were allegedly intended for distribution among criminals and gangs in Punjab to exacerbate criminal activities, he noted.
Providing details about the operation, the DGP mentioned that CI Amritsar teams acted on specific intelligence regarding the retrieval of weapon shipments near Dall village.
Swift action allowed police to intercept Harjinder Singh near Bohru Pul on the Amritsar-Jhabal road, where he was en route to deliver the consignment, resulting in the recovery of the illegal arms.
Ongoing investigations aim to uncover further linkages and identify the individual designated to receive the consignment.
A case has been registered under Sections 25, 25(1)(A), and 25(1)(B) of the Arms Act, along with Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Police Station State Special Operation Cell in Amritsar.