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Chandigarh/Amritsar, June 27
The Punjab Police have dismantled an alleged cross-border arms smuggling network with the arrest of four men and the seizure of 10 sophisticated pistols during an operation in Amritsar. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the arrests were part of the state’s ongoing efforts to tackle organised crime and improve security.
The four suspects have been identified as Ravi Singh, Sharanbir Singh alias Sunny, Manpreet Singh alias Mannu and Pippal Singh. Police said they recovered 10 pistols, including a Glock pistol and several .30 bore weapons, along with nine live cartridges. Two motorcycles believed to have been used by the accused were also seized.
According to police, preliminary investigations suggest the men were working on behalf of a foreign-based smuggler and were receiving illegal consignments of weapons through cross-border routes before supplying them to criminal networks in Punjab.
The Police said they are now working to identify others linked to the alleged smuggling operation and trace both the source of the weapons and the intended recipients.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the operation began after officers received intelligence about illegal arms movement. Two suspects were initially arrested, leading to the recovery of three pistols. During questioning, police recovered two more weapons. Further investigation led officers to arrest two additional suspects from Ferozepur district. Police said another five pistols were recovered following their interrogation, bringing the total number of seized weapons to 10.
The police said background checks showed that two of the arrested men had previously been booked in a case involving attempted murder and offences under the Arms Act. The police officials also noted that all four suspects come from villages located close to the India-Pakistan international border, a factor they believe may have facilitated their alleged involvement in cross-border arms smuggling.
Two separate cases have been registered under provisions of the Arms Act at Chheharta and Maqboolpura police stations in Amritsar. Police said the investigation is continuing.
