Cross-border arms smuggling module busted, six arrested

The Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted a Pakistan-operated arms smuggling module with the arrest of six persons, including a juvenile. Besides, the police recovered six sophisticated pistols — five .30 bore weapons and one 9mm PX5 pistol — from them.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were in direct touch with a Pakistan-based handler through social media, who shared GPS locations for weapon-drop points.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Gurbir Singh, alias Sonu (28), of Kotli Vasava Singh in Tarn Taran; Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopa (32), Gorka Singh, alias Gora, and Rajwinder Singh, alias Raju, all residents of Khem Karan (Tarn Taran); Jaspal Singh, alias Jass (24), of Bachiwind in Amritsar; and a juvenile from Sultanpur Lodhi.

The police said some of the arrested accused have previous criminal records, including cases under the NDPS Act and charges related to rape and the POCSO Act.

Police Commissioner, Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the breakthrough came during an intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of Gurbir Singh and Gurpreet Singh with two pistols. Their interrogation uncovered the wider network, prompting follow-up raids that resulted in further arrests and recoveries.

The module had been supplying weapon consignments to criminals operating in the Majha and Doaba regions, the police said. Further investigation is underway to identify the receivers of the weapons, financial channels involved and the full extent of the network.

The police have also identified two accomplices from Kapurthala district who were allegedly receiving illegal arms. Raids are being conducted to arrest them, Bhullar added.