Gangster module busted in Amritsar, four held

The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, has foiled a possible attempt to carry out targeted killings in the state with the arrest of four members of an international gangster module. The police have recovered two sophisticated weapons from their possession.

Those arrested have been identified as Jagpreet Singh, alias Jagga, and Mohammad Singh, both residents of Kazi Kot Kalan in Tarn Taran; Lavish Nahar, a resident of Bori Wala Bazar at Gate Hakima, Amritsar; and Amarbir Singh, a resident of Preet Avenue at Gate Hakima, Amritsar.

The recovered arms include a 9mm Glock pistol with a magazine and five live cartridges, and one .30 bore Star mark pistol with a magazine and three live cartridges.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested accused were in direct contact with a Portugal-based wanted gangster and were acting under his instructions. “The foreign-based handler was responsible for arranging the supply of the recovered weapons,” he said.

The DGP further disclosed that the accused had carried out a recce of specific individuals and locations in Batala and Amritsar to plan targeted killings. “The recovered sophisticated weapons were meant to execute these attacks. Key leads related to their network and handlers are being thoroughly investigated,” he added.

Sharing details of the operation, AIG, SSOC, Amritsar, Sukhminder Singh Mann said the module was busted following specific intelligence inputs. Acting swiftly, police teams from the SSOC, Amritsar, arrested the accused from the Amritsar area.

He further said investigation has also established that, on the directions of their foreign-based handler, the accused had earlier facilitated the transportation of weapons and money on multiple occasions. “Further investigations are ongoing to trace the complete network, including backward and forward linkages,” he said.

In this regard, an FIR has been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the State Special Operation Cell police station in Amritsar.