In a significant breakthrough against cross-border smuggling networks, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police has dismantled a Pakistan-backed illegal arms module. The operation led to the arrest of five individuals, including a minor, and the recovery of six sophisticated foreign-made pistols along with 14 live cartridges. The intelligence-led operation was executed by the Anti-Narcotics Operation Cell in the Cantonment area.
Amritsar Commissioner of Police (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar revealed that the module was spearheaded by Akashdeep Singh, alias Akash, a habitual offender previously incarcerated in a high-profile heroin smuggling case. Investigations indicate that following his release from jail on March 23, 2026, Akashdeep re-established contact with Pakistan-based smugglers, identified as Akash and Rehan, through social media platforms. The group reportedly facilitated the delivery of weapon consignments dropped via drones in the Attari sector to various criminal elements across the state.
The police initially apprehended Akashdeep Singh and Harmandeep Singh, recovering two pistols and six cartridges. Subsequent interrogations led to the arrest of Manish Singh, Kishan Singh, and a minor, yielding three additional foreign weapons and more ammunition. The seized cache includes high-end 9mm Glock pistols manufactured in Austria and Croatia, as well as American-made .30 bore and Italian .32 bore pistols.
According to the police, the primary accused exploited the financial vulnerabilities of local unemployed youth, including laborers and plumbers, by luring them into the smuggling trade with promises of quick money. CP Bhullar emphasized the need for vigilance among parents and urged the youth to stay away from such illegal activities. The authorities are further investigating the network to identify the end recipients of the smuggled weaponry and dismantle the remaining links of the module.