Punjab police delivered a twin security strike on Sunday, 17 May, dismantling an organised crime network in Jalandhar and cracking a hand-grenade case in Gurdaspur, with a combined total of seven arrests across both operations. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed both breakthroughs, flagging preliminary links to foreign-based handlers in each instance.

Jalandhar Crackdown: Arms, Accused, and Foreign Links

The Jalandhar Police Commissionerate apprehended four accused and seized eight sophisticated pistols — including a PX5 pistol, a Zigana pistol, three .30 bore pistols, and three .32 bore pistols — along with 45 live cartridges. According to DGP Yadav, preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested individuals had links with foreign-based handlers. Notably, all four accused were already evading arrest in two separate murder cases.

Investigators are now working to establish forward and backward linkages to dismantle the broader network. DGP Yadav reiterated Punjab Police's stated zero-tolerance policy against organised crime, illegal arms trafficking, and anti-national activities.

Gurdaspur Grenade Case Solved

Gurdaspur Police, acting in coordination with Punjab Counter Intelligence, solved the case involving a hand grenade recovered on 27 April near Geeta Bhawan Road in Gurdaspur city. Three accused have been arrested in connection with the incident.

According to DGP Yadav, police identified the suspects using a combination of technical inputs, CCTV footage, and human intelligence. During the investigation, a second hand grenade was recovered from the residence of one of the accused. Preliminary findings indicate the accused were acting on the directions of a foreign-based handler, who had reportedly supplied them with two hand grenades.

An FIR has been registered at PS City, Gurdaspur under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act. Further investigation is underway to trace foreign handlers and local support networks.

Broader Security Context: ISI Shadow Over Punjab

The twin operations come against a charged security backdrop. Following back-to-back explosions in Jalandhar and Amritsar, DGP Yadav had previously addressed a press conference where he said: 'As of now, no one has claimed responsibility for the incident, but we believe it may be part of Pakistan's ISI designs to cause disruptions in Punjab on the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Punjab is fighting a proxy war against Pakistan on behalf of the country.'

This is the latest in a series of security operations Punjab Police has conducted amid what officials describe as a sustained effort to destabilise the state through cross-border networks. The pattern — grenades, illegal arms, foreign handlers — mirrors earlier incidents attributed to Pakistan-linked operatives.

What Comes Next

Investigators in both cases are pursuing leads to identify foreign handlers and dismantle local support structures. The UAPA charges in the Gurdaspur case signal that authorities are treating the matter as a national security threat, not merely a law-and-order issue. Further arrests are likely as probe teams trace the supply chain of weapons and explosives.