MP-based illegal weapons smuggling module busted

Acting on specific intelligence, the Counter Intelligence wing (CI), Amritsar, successfully foiled a planned target killing by busting a Madhya Pradesh (MP)-based illegal weapons smuggling module with the arrest of one operative and recovering nine pistols from his possession here on Saturday.

The arrested person was identified as Arun Singh, a resident of Naushehra Pannuan village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered weapons include seven 32 bore and two 30 bore pistols along with magazines and five live cartridges.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation revealed that the weapons were procured to execute a targeted killing arising from inter-gang rivalry in the region. The probe also revealed that the accused was in contact with illegal weapon suppliers in Madhya Pradesh through social media platforms and was facilitating the flow of arms to criminals in Punjab to support unlawful activities, the DGP said.

Sharing operational details, he said the CI-Amritsar received a specific intelligence about the retrieval of a huge consignment of illegal weapons from Madhya Pradesh. Acting swiftly, a police team of the CI-Amritsar intercepted the accused near HP Petrol Pump situated on the bypass road nearby Ghanupur Kale village and recovered the cache of illegal weapons from his possession, Yadav said.

Further investigation was in progress to uncover the entire supply chain of weapons and identify additional operatives involved, he said. More arrests and recoveries were likely in the coming days, he said. A case was registered against the accused under Sections 25 and 25(1) (a) of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the State Special Operation Cell Police Station, Amritsar, in this connection.