The North News
Chandigarh, August 26
Punjab Police on Tuesday busted a cross-border arms smuggling racket in Amritsar, seizing five Glock pistols and arresting one suspect. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the operation was part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s drive to make Punjab a “safe and secure state.” The arrested man was identified as Amit Singh, a resident of Guru Ki Wadali in Amritsar.
Police said Amit Singh had been working with his associate, Gurpreet Singh alias Ginny, to procure weapons from Pakistan-based smugglers who were attempting to destabilise peace in Punjab. Alongside the firearms, the police also impounded the black Hero Splendor motorcycle allegedly used by the suspect to deliver consignments. Investigators believe the weapons were being air-dropped by drones at pre-designated sites along the border.
Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Amit Singh was caught in an intelligence-led operation by officers from Chheharta Police Station, acting under the supervision of senior officers. He was arrested while en route to deliver a consignment of weapons. “The arrest and recovery have helped unearth a larger network and avert a potential crime in the region,” DGP Yadav said, adding that further arrests and seizures were expected.
Police are now working to trace the intended recipient of the seized consignment and to establish wider links in the smuggling network. A case has been registered under the Arms Act at Chheharta Police Station in Amritsar.