Punjab Police bust smuggling modules; 6 arrested with 2.9 kg heroin, 8 pistols
Synopsis
Punjab Police's dual crackdown on 28 August netted 2.9 kg heroin, eight pistols, and six arrested suspects — all allegedly receiving contraband via drones from across the border. The drone-delivery angle signals a maturing cross-border pipeline that now bypasses traditional smuggling routes entirely.
Key Takeaways
Punjab Police busted two separate smuggling modules on 28 August , arresting six people .
Recoveries include 2.9 kg heroin , eight high-end pistols , and six cartridges .
Accused allegedly used drones to receive cross-border consignments for distribution among criminals in Punjab.
FIRs registered under the Arms Act , NDPS Act , BNS , and Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam at Amritsar 's Special Operation Cell police station.
DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed further arrests and recoveries are expected as the probe continues.
Punjab Police's Special Operation Cell and Counter Intelligence units dismantled two separate weapons and narcotics smuggling modules on Friday, 28 August, arresting six individuals and recovering 2.9 kg heroin, eight high-end pistols, and six cartridges from their possession. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed the dual operations, describing them as a significant strike against cross-border criminal networks operating in Punjab.
Key Developments
The six individuals arrested have been identified as Inderpal Singh, Sikandarjit Singh, Happy Singh (alias Veerpal Singh), Sunil Masih, Rajan Masih, and Pardeep Singh. According to preliminary investigation, the accused were actively involved in cross-border smuggling and were allegedly receiving consignments via drones for onward distribution to criminals across the state.
How the Operations Unfolded
In the first operation, Counter Intelligence Amritsar teams acted on intelligence that suspects Sunil Masih and Rajan Masih had received a large consignment of illegal firearms and were set to deliver them to associate Pardeep Singh. Police intercepted the trio and recovered seven pistols from their possession.
In the second operation, Special Operation Cell teams apprehended Inderpal Singh, Sikandarjit Singh, and Happy Singh, recovering 2.9 kg heroin and one pistol from them. Assistant Inspector General Sukhminder Singh Mann confirmed both recoveries and said comprehensive investigations are underway to map the full scale of the network.
Legal Action
Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered at the Special Operation Cell police station in Amritsar. The charges include Sections 25 and 25(8) of the Arms Act, Sections 61(2) and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 21, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act, and Sections 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam — the last set of provisions reflecting the drone-based delivery angle of the case.
What Happens Next
DGP Yadav stated that further investigation is underway to identify all individuals associated with the cross-border network. AIG Mann indicated that more arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days as the probe widens. This operation is part of Punjab Police's sustained push against narco-terror pipelines that have repeatedly used drone corridors along the Pakistan border to move contraband into the state.
Point of View
Yet the pipeline keeps operating — suggesting interception is reactive rather than systemic. Charging the accused under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam alongside the NDPS Act is a prosecutorial signal that authorities are trying to build a legal framework around drone-enabled smuggling, but convictions under these newer provisions remain untested. The real measure of this operation's impact will be whether it reaches the handlers on the other side of the border, not just the last-mile distributors who were caught.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Punjab Police recover in the 28 August smuggling bust?
Punjab Police recovered 2.9 kg heroin, eight high-end pistols, and six cartridges across two separate operations on 28 August. Six individuals were arrested in connection with the seizures.
Who are the six people arrested in the Punjab smuggling case?
The six arrested individuals are Inderpal Singh, Sikandarjit Singh, Happy Singh (alias Veerpal Singh), Sunil Masih, Rajan Masih, and Pardeep Singh. All are alleged to be part of cross-border smuggling modules operating in Punjab.
How were the smugglers receiving contraband according to police?
According to preliminary investigation, the accused were allegedly receiving consignments through drones from across the border for further distribution among criminals in Punjab. The drone-delivery angle has led to charges under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
Two FIRs have been registered at the Special Operation Cell police station in Amritsar, invoking Sections 25 and 25(8) of the Arms Act, Sections 61(2) and 111 of the BNS, Sections 21, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act, and Sections 25–29 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam.
Are more arrests expected in the Punjab smuggling case?
Yes. AIG Sukhminder Singh Mann confirmed that comprehensive investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of the network, and more arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days.
