Pak-linked arms smuggling module busted in dist, juvenile among 7 held

In a major intelligence-based operation, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police have busted a Pakistan-supported cross-border arms trafficking module, arresting seven operatives, including a juvenile, and recovering 15 sophisticated pistols from their possession. This was stated by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

Those arrested have been identified as Shamsher Singh, alias Sima (30) and Amandeep Singh, alias Bobby (23), both residents of Fakir Singh Colony, Amritsar; Balwinder Singh, alias Kaka (26), Gurdev Singh (40), Karanpreet Singh (19), and Harman Singh (19), all from Kakkar village in Amritsar (Rural), along with a 17-year-old juvenile. The seized weapons include nine 9mm Glock pistols and six .30 bore pistols.

The DGP said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with a Pakistan-based handler through social media and were actively involved in procuring and distributing illegal arms across Punjab. Efforts are underway to trace the entire network, including its backward and forward linkages, he added.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, sharing operational details, said the operation began with the arrest of the juvenile, who was caught with two pistols. His interrogation led to the arrest of Shamsher Singh and Amandeep Singh, from whom three more pistols, including a Glock, were recovered.

Subsequently, Balwinder Singh was arrested with three pistols following technical leads. Further analysis of the juvenile’s mobile phone revealed links between him and Gurdev Singh, both in touch with a common Pakistan-based handler. Gurdev was later arrested along with Karanpreet Singh and Harman Singh, leading to the recovery of seven additional pistols.

Two separate FIRs have been registered under Sections 25(6), 25(7), and 25(8) of the Arms Act at the Cantonment police station, Amritsar. Officials said more arrests and recoveries are expected as the investigation progresses.

In a parallel action, the Counter Intelligence Wing, Amritsar, also confiscated nine sophisticated pistols from three persons in a separate case on Thursday. Those arrested were identified as Davinder Singh, a resident of village Bhangwan, and Paramjit Singh alias Pamma and Harmeet Singh alias Meetu, both residents of Bhindi Aulakh in Amritsar Rural.