Punjab Police AGTF arrests two gangsters in Nawanshahr, foils targeted court killing
Synopsis
Punjab Police's AGTF foiled a plot to kill a rival gang member inside a courtroom — the accused were allegedly directed by foreign-based handlers and are now also linked to the contract murder of a Ludhiana sarpanch on 3 October. With back-to-back operations netting seven more in Amritsar and 3.4 kg of heroin recovered via drone-drop routes, the crackdown exposes the deepening reach of overseas criminal networks inside Punjab.
Key Takeaways
Punjab Police AGTF arrested two gangsters from Nawanshahr on 22 October 2026 , recovering two .30 calibre pistols and ammunition.
The accused were allegedly tasked by foreign-based handlers to assassinate a rival during a SBS Nagar court appearance — a plot that was foiled.
The duo is also linked to the contract murder of a Ludhiana sarpanch on 3 October , according to preliminary disclosures.
A separate Amritsar Rural Police operation the previous day arrested seven individuals , including three juveniles , seizing a hand grenade, two pistols, and 3.4 kg of heroin .
Contraband in the Amritsar case was reportedly drone-dropped from across the border on directions from overseas gangsters.
Further investigation is underway to map the full criminal network and establish wider linkages, DGP Gaurav Yadav said.
Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), operating jointly with Counter Intelligence and SBS Nagar Police, arrested two associates linked to a foreign-based gangster network from Nawanshahr on 22 October 2026, recovering two sophisticated .30 calibre pistols along with ammunition. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the arrests thwarted a planned targeted killing inside a courtroom.
The Plot That Was Foiled
Preliminary investigation revealed that the two accused were in direct contact with foreign-based handlers who had tasked them with eliminating a rival gang member during his court appearance at SBS Nagar. 'Their timely arrest averted a planned targeted killing,' DGP Yadav said in a post on X.
The accused have also disclosed alleged involvement in the murder of a sarpanch in Ludhiana on 3 October, with investigators suspecting the killing was a contract job orchestrated by the same overseas network. 'Further investigation is underway to establish their wider criminal network and linkages,' Yadav added.
Back-to-Back Operations Across Punjab
The Nawanshahr arrests come a day after Amritsar Rural Police dismantled a separate drug trafficking, illegal arms, and explosives smuggling network, detaining seven individuals — including three juveniles — in two successive operations. Recoveries included one hand grenade, two .30 bore pistols, 29 cartridges, and 3.4 kg of heroin.
Those held in the first Amritsar operation were identified as Ajay (28) and Robin Masih alias Noni (22). The second sweep netted Gurlal Singh (20), Rashpal Singh (18), and three 17-year-old juveniles.
Drone-Dropped Contraband From Across the Border
Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said police received specific intelligence that Ajay had been procuring drone-dropped heroin and firearms smuggled from across the international border, acting on directions from foreign-based gangsters. Acting swiftly and in coordination with a central agency, police set up a special checkpoint in the Manawala area and intercepted Ajay along with Robin Masih. A search of Ajay's bag yielded 3.4 kg of heroin and one .30 bore pistol with 19 rounds.
The Bigger Pattern
The cluster of operations underscores a documented pattern: foreign-based handlers — reportedly operating from Canada, Australia, and the Gulf — directing criminal activities inside Punjab through a chain of local operatives, often recruited through social media. This is not an isolated incident; Punjab Police has flagged multiple such nexuses over the past two years, with the AGTF alone logging dozens of weapon recoveries linked to cross-border drone drops. The involvement of juveniles in the Amritsar case adds a fresh dimension that authorities say warrants a separate probe into recruitment channels.
Investigators say wider network mapping is ongoing and further arrests are likely.
Point of View
Executed by local proxies. Punjab Police has now documented this model repeatedly — foreign handlers insulating themselves from Indian jurisdiction while directing assassinations, drug runs, and contract killings domestically. What remains underexplored is how the handlers communicate and recruit, particularly given the presence of juveniles in the Amritsar sweep. Until the Centre and state agencies build a credible counter to the overseas-command layer — including diplomatic and extradition pressure — local arrests, however efficient, address only the bottom of the supply chain.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Punjab Police's AGTF uncover in Nawanshahr on 22 October?
The AGTF, with Counter Intelligence and SBS Nagar Police, arrested two gangster associates and recovered two .30 calibre pistols with ammunition. The accused were allegedly directed by foreign-based handlers to kill a rival gang member during his court hearing in SBS Nagar.
What is the connection between the arrested accused and the Ludhiana sarpanch murder?
During preliminary questioning, the arrested duo allegedly disclosed involvement in the murder of a sarpanch in Ludhiana on 3 October. Investigators believe the killing was a contract job ordered by the same overseas criminal network.
What did Amritsar Rural Police recover in the parallel operations?
Amritsar Rural Police arrested seven individuals — including three juveniles — and recovered one hand grenade, two .30 bore pistols, 29 cartridges, and 3.4 kg of heroin across two operations. The contraband was reportedly sourced via drone drops from across the international border.
How are foreign-based gangsters linked to crime inside Punjab?
According to police, foreign-based handlers direct local operatives via remote communication, tasking them with targeted killings, arms distribution, and drug supply runs. The drone-drop method is a documented route for smuggling weapons and narcotics across the India-Pakistan border.
What happens next in the investigation?
DGP Gaurav Yadav has confirmed that investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the criminal network and identify other members. Further arrests are anticipated as police map the broader chain of handlers and operatives.
