Amritsar Commissionerate Police has dismantled an alleged cross-border arms smuggling and hawala network with suspected international links, arresting four persons, including an Afghan national, in a major operation aimed at curbing organised crime in Punjab.
Police officials said the accused were part of a network involved in the illegal procurement and distribution of sophisticated weapons. During the operation, investigators recovered eight modern pistols along with seven live cartridges from the arrested individuals.
In a major breakthrough, Amritsar Commissionerate Police busts a cross-border illegal arms smuggling and hawala network, apprehends four accused, including an Afghan national, and recovers 8 sophisticated pistols, 7 live cartridges.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the… pic.twitter.com/IP9tmpr5bg
— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) June 8, 2026
Preliminary investigations suggest that the network had links beyond India and was allegedly using border-region drop points to facilitate the movement of illegal arms into the country. According to police, the weapons were subsequently routed to local criminal elements and were intended to be used for unlawful activities.
Officials said the probe has also uncovered the suspected use of hawala channels for financial transactions, indicating a wider and more organised criminal structure operating behind the arms supply chain. Investigators believe the funding mechanism played a crucial role in sustaining the network’s operations and facilitating the movement of illegal consignments.
Separate FIRs have been registered at Islamabad Police Station and the Gate Hakima Police Station in Amritsar in connection with the case. Police teams are now examining both the backward and forward linkages of the network to identify its handlers, beneficiaries, and possible international associates.
Authorities said efforts are underway to determine the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and whether additional individuals were involved in arranging the movement of weapons and funds.
Senior officials indicated that further arrests and recoveries cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses. Punjab Police reiterated its commitment to taking strict action against illegal arms trafficking, hawala activities, and organised crime, stating that such networks pose a serious threat to public safety and law and order.
The arrests are being viewed as a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating through transnational channels and using illegal financial routes to support their activities.