Amritsar (Dawarka Nath Rana): In a major breakthrough, the Cross-Border Gun Smuggling Network case has led to the arrest of eight accused by the Amritsar Commissionerate Police. Authorities recovered 11 modern pistols and eight live cartridges during the operation.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed the development and said the action is part of an ongoing campaign to make Punjab a safer state.
Major Police Crackdown in Amritsar
Acting on credible intelligence inputs, Amritsar Police carried out a coordinated operation against an interstate and cross-border arms smuggling network.
As a result, officers arrested eight individuals linked to the illegal weapons supply chain. Moreover, police teams recovered multiple foreign-made pistols from their possession.
Huge Arms Recovery
During the operation, police seized a total of 11 sophisticated pistols, including:
- Four .30 bore Chinese-made pistols
- Four PX5 Storm .30 bore pistols
- One Zigana .30 bore pistol
- One 9MM Glock (Austrian-made)
- One additional 9MM pistol
- Eight live cartridges
- One motorcycle used in the crime network
Therefore, the recovery highlights the scale of the illegal arms network operating in the region.
Foreign Links and Drone Supply Network
According to initial investigations, the accused were in contact with foreign-based handlers operating the smuggling network.
Furthermore, police suspect that weapons were being supplied through drone drops near the Attari border sector. These weapons were then distributed to criminal groups across Punjab.
As a result, authorities believe the network was actively fueling violent crime and extortion activities.
Step-by-Step Arrest Operation
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar explained that the arrests were made in multiple stages.
Initially, two accused were arrested with two pistols. Later, further interrogation led to the arrest of additional members of the gang along with more weapons.
Consequently, the entire chain of accused individuals was exposed through systematic investigation.
Criminal Background of Accused
Police confirmed that several arrested individuals already have serious criminal records.
They were previously involved in cases related to murder, attempted murder, Arms Act violations, NDPS cases, and theft.
Therefore, their involvement in organized arms trafficking raised serious security concerns.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have now intensified the investigation to trace backward and forward linkages of the network.
Moreover, police are identifying additional associates involved in weapon procurement and distribution.
DGP Gaurav Yadav reiterated that Punjab Police will continue strict action against organized crime networks.
Conclusion
The Cross-Border Gun Smuggling Network operation marks a significant success for Punjab Police. With eight arrests and major weapon recovery, authorities have dealt a strong blow to cross-border arms trafficking networks operating in the state.
Key Points of the Cross-Border Gun Smuggling Network:
- Amritsar Police busted a cross-border illegal arms smuggling module.
- Eight accused arrested during a major police operation.
- 11 modern pistols and 8 live cartridges recovered.
- Weapons were being supplied to criminal gangs in Punjab.
- Investigation ongoing to trace backward and forward links.
