Cross-border arms smuggling module busted, four nabbed in Amritsar

In a major crackdown on illegal arms trafficking, the Punjab Police have dismantled a cross-border smuggling racket operating in border areas of Amritsar, arresting four persons, including a 16-year-old juvenile, and recovering seven sophisticated foreign-made pistols along with live ammunition.

Disclosing this here on Wednesday, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused were in regular contact with Pakistan-based handlers through social media platforms. The weapons were being smuggled across the border using drones and dropped at pre-designated spots in the Attari sector, particularly in the vicinity of Bhaini and Neshta villages.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Gurwinder Singh, alias Ginder (32), and Jobanbir Singh, alias Joban (23), both residents of Laddhewal village in Amritsar; Lovepreet Singh, alias Love, from Bhuse village in Tarn Taran district; and a 16-year-old juvenile.

The police recovered two .30 bore PX5 Storm pistols, two .30 bore pistols of Italian make, one .30 bore pistol of Chinese make, one .30 bore pistol, and one 9mm pistol of Austrian make, along with 12 live cartridges. A motorcycle used in the operation was also seized.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said three of the accused were initially apprehended with six pistols during a raid. Their fourth associate, later identified as the juvenile, managed to escape but was arrested the next day, from whom one more pistol was recovered.

Investigations have revealed that the accused were acting on the directions of their cross-border handlers. They would pick up the weapon consignments from specified drone drop points and supply them to local networks. The police are now probing both the forward and backward linkages of the module to dismantle the entire smuggling syndicate.

It may be mentioned that two of the arrested accused — Gurwinder Singh and Lovepreet Singh — have prior cases registered against them under the NDPS Act. The juvenile too has a criminal history and was earlier booked under the Arms Act in a case involving recovery of three pistols at the Gharinda police station.

A case has been registered under Section 25(8) of the Arms Act at the Chheharta police station here while further investigations are underway.