The North News
Chandigarh/Amritsar, October 31
In a major intelligence-led operation, the Punjab Police have busted a cross-border arms smuggling module linked to Pakistan-based handlers with the arrest of seven operatives, including a juvenile, and seizing 15 sophisticated pistols, Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Friday. The operation, part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state, led to the arrest of Shamsher Singh alias Sima (30), Amandeep Singh alias Bobby (23), both from Fakir Singh Colony, Amritsar; Balwinder Singh alias Kaka (26), Gurdev Singh (40), Karanpreet Singh (19), Harman Singh (19)—all residents of village Kakkar, Amritsar Rural—and a 17-year-old juvenile.
Police recovered nine 9mm Glock pistols and six .30 bore pistols from their possession. DGP Yadav said the initial probe revealed that the accused were in contact with a Pakistan-based handler via social media, facilitating the procurement and supply of illegal weapons across Punjab. He added that further investigations were underway to trace both backward and forward linkages of the network.
Amritsar Commissioner of Police (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the juvenile, who lived near the international border and was in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers, was the first to be arrested with two pistols. Interrogation led to the arrest of Shamsher Singh and Amandeep Singh with three more pistols, including a Glock.
Subsequently, based on technical and forensic leads, Balwinder Singh was arrested with three more pistols. Digital analysis of the juvenile’s mobile phone exposed Gurdev Singh’s role in coordinating with the same Pakistan-based handler. Acting on his directions, the group distributed weapons through local associates. The police later arrested Gurdev Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Harman Singh, recovering seven additional pistols, including six Glocks. Police officials said more arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation continues.
Two separate cases have been registered under Sections 25(6,7,8) of the Arms Act at Police Station Cantonment, Amritsar.
