Punjab Police bust cross-border drugs, arms networks; 7 held in Amritsar
Synopsis
Amritsar police cracked two cross-border networks in a single day — seizing pistols sourced from Turkiye, Austria, and China alongside heroin and a border-run drone. The multi-country weapons trail and drone-assisted delivery point to a professionalised smuggling operation, not a local racket, raising urgent questions about the depth of foreign handler networks feeding Punjab's criminal ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
Amritsar Commissionerate Police busted two cross-border networks on 10 August , arresting seven individuals .
Recovered items include 10 pistols , 1.054 kg heroin , and one drone used for border sorties.
Pistols originated from Turkiye , Austria , and China , indicating a multi-country procurement chain.
Accused Ahmed Raja has prior criminal cases including murder and Arms Act violations.
The weapons were allegedly earmarked for targeting a rival gang member linked to an old criminal feud.
DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav confirmed the accused were in contact with foreign-based smugglers facilitating supply across the international border.
Amritsar Commissionerate Police has dismantled two major cross-border drug and illegal arms supply networks, arresting seven individuals and recovering 10 pistols, 1.054 kg heroin, and a drone used for border sorties, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav announced on Monday, 10 August. The twin operations, conducted by police teams in Amritsar, expose an active pipeline of weapons and narcotics being smuggled across the international border with the help of foreign-based handlers.
Who Was Arrested
Those taken into custody have been identified as Kuldeep Singh alias Bhullar (28), Husanpreet Singh (21), Ahmed Raja (21), Jagseer Singh alias Bobby (26), Navideep Singh (20), Anmoldeep Singh (19), and Manjinder Singh alias Manga (37). Preliminary investigation has revealed the accused were in contact with foreign-based smugglers facilitating the supply of illegal arms and heroin from across the international border, according to DGP Yadav.
The Arms Haul: Weapons From Three Countries
The recovered arsenal includes one .30 bore Zigana pistol (manufactured in Turkiye), one 9mm Glock (manufactured in Austria), one 9mm PX5, two .30 bore pistols (manufactured in China), two .30 bore Star mark pistols, one .30 bore pistol, one Glock 9mm, and one .30 bore PX3, along with five cartridges. The multi-country origin of the weapons points to a sophisticated procurement network rather than opportunistic smuggling.
How the Operations Unfolded
Commissioner of Police (Amritsar) Harmanbir Singh Gill said acting on a tip-off, police initially arrested Kuldeep Singh and Husanpreet Singh, recovering two pistols and two cartridges from them. During interrogation, the duo disclosed details about associates in the arms supply network, leading to the arrest of Ahmed Raja and Jagseer Singh, from whom five more pistols and three cartridges were recovered.
The weapons were allegedly intended for use against a rival gang member in connection with an old criminal rivalry. Notably, Ahmed Raja has a prior criminal record involving cases of murder, the Arms Act, and theft, according to the Commissioner.
In a separate operation, police arrested Navideep Singh and Anmoldeep Singh, recovering 1.054 kg heroin. Sustained interrogation led to the further recovery of three sophisticated pistols and the drone used to carry out sorties across the border. A seventh accused, Manjinder Singh, was subsequently arrested in connection with this network.
Broader Context: Punjab's Border Security Challenge
Punjab shares a sensitive international border with Pakistan, and cross-border drone-based smuggling of drugs and weapons has emerged as a persistent law enforcement challenge over the past several years. This is among the more significant single-day hauls by Amritsar police in recent months, combining narcotics, a multi-origin arms cache, and drone-based delivery infrastructure in one set of operations. The use of a drone for border sorties signals a continued escalation in smuggling tactics that ground surveillance alone cannot counter.
Point of View
Austria, and China arriving in a single network suggest coordinated procurement across multiple foreign channels — far beyond what improvised local smuggling can explain. The drone element is equally telling: aerial delivery has now moved from an occasional tactic to a routine operational tool for these networks. Punjab Police's tip-off-driven approach has produced results, but reactive interdiction alone cannot dismantle networks with foreign handler infrastructure. The deeper question is whether intelligence-sharing with central agencies and border security forces is keeping pace with the escalating technology and reach of these supply chains.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Punjab Police recover in the Amritsar cross-border bust?
Police recovered 10 pistols, 1.054 kg heroin, and a drone used for cross-border sorties. The weapons included pistols manufactured in Turkiye, Austria, and China, along with five cartridges.
Who were the seven individuals arrested in the Amritsar operation?
The seven arrested are Kuldeep Singh alias Bhullar (28), Husanpreet Singh (21), Ahmed Raja (21), Jagseer Singh alias Bobby (26), Navideep Singh (20), Anmoldeep Singh (19), and Manjinder Singh alias Manga (37).
How were the cross-border networks operating?
According to DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav, the accused were in contact with foreign-based smugglers who facilitated the supply of illegal arms and heroin across the international border. A drone was used to carry out sorties for smuggling deliveries.
What was the intended use of the recovered weapons?
Investigators say the weapons were allegedly intended to target a rival gang member in connection with an old criminal rivalry. Accused Ahmed Raja also has prior cases involving murder and Arms Act violations.
Why is cross-border smuggling a concern in Punjab?
Punjab shares a sensitive international border, and drone-assisted smuggling of drugs and weapons has been a persistent challenge for law enforcement. The multi-country origin of the weapons in this case points to a professionalised supply network with foreign handler links.
