Major haul prompts wider probe into foreign links
The Amritsar police on Monday said they dismantled two cross-border smuggling networks after arresting seven men and seizing 10 pistols, 1.054 kg of heroin and a drone, officials reported. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the preliminary investigation indicates contact between the accused and foreign-based handlers who were facilitating the supply of illegal arms and narcotics across the border.
Commissioner of Police Amritsar Harmanbir Singh Gill said the operation was launched on the basis of reliable intelligence. Initial action led to the arrest of two suspects from Amritsar city and neighbouring Tarn Taran, and subsequent interrogations yielded information that helped identify further associates, the CP said.
“During their interrogation, the accused disclosed details about their associates involved in the arms supply network,” the commissioner said.
Who was arrested and where they are from
Police identified the seven persons arrested in connection with the case as:
- Kuldeep Singh alias Bhullar, 28 — native of Rajoke village (Tarn Taran), presently residing at Gumtala in Amritsar
- Husanpreet Singh, 21 — native of Mehdipur, presently residing at Dhollan village (Tarn Taran)
- Ahmed Raja, 21 — resident of Sultanwind Road, Amritsar
- Jagseer Singh alias Bobby, 26 — resident of Mohalla Takshatri, Tarn Taran
- Navideep Singh, 20 — resident of Attari, Amritsar Rural
- Anmoldeep Singh, 19 — resident of Rorawali, Amritsar Rural
- Manjinder Singh alias Manga, 37 — resident of Fatahpur in Amritsar
Seizure details
According to the police, the recovered arms and narcotics include:
| Item | Quantity / Details |
|---|---|
| Pistols | 10 (types listed by police include one .30-bore Zigana, two 9mm Glock, one 9mm PX5, two .30-bore Chinese pistols, two .30-bore Star mark, one .30-bore and one .30-bore PX3) |
| Heroin | 1.054 kg |
| Drone | One recovered |
| Live cartridges | Police reported recovering five live cartridges; during follow-up arrests an additional three live cartridges were recovered from two suspects |
Police said Kuldeep and Husanpreet were arrested first and two pistols were seized from them. Subsequent action led to the arrests of Ahmed Raja and Jagseer, from whom five more pistols and three live cartridges were recovered, the commissioner added. The DGP indicated that the full network — its forward and backward linkages and any other persons associated with the foreign-based handlers — is being probed.
Local angle and possible motive
Amritsar police sources said the weapons recovered were allegedly intended for use in an attack on a member of a rival gang in relation to an old rivalry. The probe has reportedly revealed prior criminal involvement by at least one of the accused, and officers are examining past records and associations to piece together the smuggling chain.
Officials emphasised that the seizures point to the continuing threat posed by cross-border routes for trafficking of arms and drugs in border districts such as Amritsar and Tarn Taran. The presence of a drone in the haul underlines concerns about evolving smuggling methods that can bypass conventional checks in rural and peri-urban areas.
Next steps in the investigation
The police said further investigation is under way to identify remaining members of the smuggling chain and to establish how the consignments were routed. The DGP said the probe will focus on establishing links with foreign-based smugglers and on uncovering the wider logistics behind the supply of weapons and narcotics.
Cases under relevant sections of the Arms Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act have been registered, officials reported. They added that forensic analysis, custodial interrogations and tracing of communication networks are being pursued to build the evidentiary case.
