6 linked with Pakistan-based smugglers held with arms, 3 kg heroin in Amritsar
Accused linked to cross-border handler, say police
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police have busted two separate arms and narcotics smuggling modules linked to Pakistan-based handlers and arrested six accused. Police recovered six sophisticated pistols, including three rare PX 5.7×28 mm TISAS Turkey pistols, along with 3.5 kg of heroin.
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar on Sunday said the arrested accused have been identified as Karan Singh (26) and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi (22), both residents of Khemkaran in Tarn Taran; Makhandeen alias Makhan (22) of Nag Kalan in Amritsar; Rakesh alias Keshu (26) and Chamkor Singh alias Chamkor (23), also from Khemkaran; and Jasbir Singh alias Beera alias Raghu (19) of Mullechak village in Amritsar.
Police recovered three PX 5.7×28 mm TISAS Turkey pistols, two .30 bore pistols and one 9 mm pistol, along with 60 live cartridges. Officials said the PX 5.7×28 mm pistols are among the latest weapons and are rarely recovered in such operations.
Sharing details, Bhullar said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers who were sending consignments of arms and narcotics near the Indo-Pak border using drones. He said the accused were operating under a cross-border handler, indicating the existence of a larger organised smuggling network.
Police first nabbed Karan Singh and Gurpreet Singh during patrolling when they were spotted moving suspiciously on a motorcycle. Upon searching them, two TISAS Turkey pistols along with magazines and 20 live cartridges were recovered.
Further interrogation led to the recovery of another TISAS pistol and a .30 bore pistol along with ammunition. Acting on their disclosures, police arrested their supplier, Makhandeen, from whom another .30 bore pistol with magazine and ammunition was seized.
In another operation, police apprehended Rakesh and Chamkor Singh and recovered 200 grams of heroin from their possession. Subsequent investigation led to the recovery of an additional 800 grams of heroin, taking the total seizure in that case to 1 kg.
Later, acting on specific intelligence, police teams conducted a coordinated raid and arrested Jasbir Singh, recovering 2.5 kg of heroin from his possession.
Police have registered three separate FIRs in connection with the cases at Gate Hakima, Chheharta and Verka police stations under relevant sections of the Arms Act and the NDPS Act.
The Police Commissioner said further investigations are underway to establish both forward and backward linkages to dismantle the entire network.
