Major raids across city lead to multiple arrests and seizures
Amritsar — Amritsar police have dismantled six suspected illegal arms-supply networks in coordinated operations across the city, arresting eight men and seizing 13 pistols and 23 live cartridges, officials said on Tuesday. The raids followed investigations that indicated the accused were procuring weapons for distribution and possible criminal use, the state police chief said.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said preliminary inquiries revealed alleged links between the arrested men and smugglers operating from abroad. Six separate cases were lodged under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Chheharta, Hakima (Gate Hakima), Sultanwind and D-Division police stations as part of the probe, according to official statements.
“Further investigation is underway to uncover the complete backward and forward linkages, identify other persons involved and dismantle the wider illegal arms trafficking network,” the DGP said.
Who was held and what was recovered
Police identified the eight arrested persons and provided their ages and native places. The list released by police includes:
- Gurdeep Singh alias Deep, 24 — Rangarh village, Amritsar rural
- Dharminder Singh alias Bhinda, 34 — Rangarh village, Amritsar rural
- Amit, 23 — Guru Ki Wadali, Amritsar
- Harpreet Singh alias Happy Niana, 26 — Narayangarh, Amritsar
- Chamkaur Singh, 30 — Waan Tara Singh village, Tarn Taran
- Karanpreet Singh, 22 — Noordi village, Tarn Taran
- Gaurav, 26 — Katra Karam Singh, Amritsar
- Varun Kumar alias Vicky Gill, 33 — Bhai Manj Singh Road, Amritsar
Operational details shared by Amritsar Commissioner of Police Harmanbir Singh Gill said two of the accused — Gurdeep Singh and Dharminder Singh — were arrested together in possession of two pistols and seven live cartridges. Separate operations led to the arrest of Amit, Harpreet and Chamkaur Singh; police recovered three pistols and live ammunition from each of those three suspects. Another routine check resulted in the apprehension of Karanpreet Singh with one pistol. A scooter allegedly used in smuggling activities was also impounded during the operations.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pistols recovered | 13 |
| Live cartridges | 23 |
| Cases registered | 6 (under Sec. 25, Arms Act) |
Investigation focus and local implications
Police say investigations are concentrating on both the backward links (how the weapons reached the accused) and the forward links (intended recipients and distribution chains) to dismantle the wider trafficking network. The DGP highlighted that a number of the suspects appear to have established connections with associates who are also under scrutiny.
For Amritsar and surrounding rural pockets, the seizure underscores long-standing concerns about the circulation of illegal firearms in border and border-adjacent regions. While officials have attributed part of the sourcing to smugglers based abroad, the on-ground probe will seek to map routes, handlers and local facilitators, police said.
Local residents and community leaders welcomed the operations but urged sustained vigilance. Traders and farmers in peri-urban and rural Amritsar have in recent years voiced anxiety over criminal elements using illegal weapons to settle disputes or intimidate communities; dismantling supply chains is seen as essential to reducing such incidents.
Legal process and next steps
All eight accused face charges under the Arms Act, and further legal and investigative steps will include forensic examination of the recovered weapons, tracing make and import patterns, and expanding the inquiry to identify any foreign or domestic partners in the trafficking network. Police have indicated that arrests and further action will follow as the probe uncovers additional leads.
Commissioner Gill and the state police reaffirmed a commitment to maintain tight surveillance against illegal arms trafficking and organised criminal groups operating within Amritsar’s jurisdiction. The cases are being handled locally while coordination with state-level specialised units is expected as the investigation develops.
