Did Punjab Police Uncover a Smuggling Network Tied to Canada and Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Amritsar Rural Police dismantled an illegal weapon smuggling module.
- Connections have been established with Canada and Pakistan.
- One suspect was arrested with significant weaponry in his possession.
- Ongoing investigations are focused on identifying additional operatives.
- The recent operations emphasize cross-border smuggling concerns.
Chandigarh, Oct 14 (NationPress) The Amritsar Rural Police have successfully dismantled an illegal weapon smuggling network with connections to both Canada and Pakistan, according to Punjab's Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav.
In a significant operation, police apprehended Amarbir Singh, a local resident of Dairiwal in the Tarsikka police jurisdiction, and seized six pistols, 11 magazines, and a total of 91 cartridges of .30 bore along with 20 cartridges of 9mm from him.
Initial investigations indicated that the accused had recently returned from Canada and was maintaining contacts with smugglers based in Pakistan, as stated by the DGP.
A first information report (FIR) has been lodged, and ongoing investigations aim to uncover additional operatives, trace both forward and backward linkages, and effectively dismantle the entire cross-border smuggling operation.
In a related intelligence-driven initiative the day before, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Amritsar, partnering with the Border Security Force (BSF), seized three weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, near the Indo-Pak border in the Khemkaran area of Tarn Taran.
This seized arsenal also featured a PX5 Storm pistol, along with a magazine and two AK-47 magazines complete with ammunition.
DGP Yadav noted that preliminary investigations suggest the weapons originated from Pakistan.
Authorities are actively pursuing further investigations to identify the smugglers and trace connections linked to this operation to dismantle the entire smuggling web, he added.
Sharing details of the operation, Assistant Inspector General Sukhminder Singh Mann reported that the BSF received intelligence regarding the arrival of militant hardware from across the border.
In a prompt response, police collaborated with the BSF to conduct a well-coordinated search operation in Mehdipur village, resulting in the recovery of the weapon consignment from the vicinity.
The origins of the seized hardware are currently being determined, he stated, while ongoing investigations aim to identify and detain those responsible for this illegal activity.