Punjab Police arrest seven, seize 14 pistols and 20kg heroin

The Punjab Police have arrested seven people, including an Army soldier, and seized 14 pistols and 20.130 kg of heroin in four separate operations targeting illegal arms and narcotics supply networks in Amritsar Rural, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday.

The arrests were made during a crackdown launched as part of the state government’s drive to improve security in Punjab, according to the police.

The accused have been identified as Uday, 19, and Patras, 19, residents of Mastgarh in Tarn Taran; Army soldier Yudhvir Singh, 22, from Ranike village; Sajan Singh, 19, and Sahilpreet, 20, from Naraingarh; Jarmanjot Singh, 20, from Sialka village; and Sahibnoor Singh, 21, from Jujhar Singh Nagar in Batala.

Yadav said preliminary investigations indicated that the accused were allegedly in contact with a foreign-based handler who facilitated illegal arms consignments for distribution among criminal elements through an organised network.

In the first operation, police intercepted Uday and Patras while they were travelling towards Khemkaran after allegedly retrieving a drone-dropped consignment containing 10 pistols. The seizure comprised one 9mm pistol and nine .30-bore pistols. Investigators suspect the duo had previously retrieved and supplied at least 20 to 25 weapon consignments, Inspector General of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said.

In the second operation, a joint team of CIA Amritsar Rural and Gharinda police arrested Yudhvir Singh, who was home on leave, and recovered a .30-bore pistol. The Police said a report on his alleged involvement in cross-border smuggling would be sent to senior Army authorities.

The third operation led to the recovery of 20.130 kg of heroin from Sajan Singh and Sahilpreet, Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal said.

In the fourth operation, the police arrested Jarmanjot Singh and Sahibnoor Singh and recovered two pistols.

Four separate cases have been registered under the Arms Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The Police said further investigation was underway to identify the network’s backward and forward linkages.