Punjab Police busts cross-border arms network, four gangsters arrested with 10 Pakistani pistols

In a breakthrough against organised crime and cross-border arms smuggling, the Punjab Police arrested four alleged gangsters and recovered 10 Pakistan-made pistols during a series of coordinated operations carried out by Amritsar Rural Police. The arrests include suspects allegedly involved in the murder of an advocate and multiple firing incidents in the region.

Addressing a press conference, Harmanbir Singh Gill said the operation was conducted jointly by teams from Lopoke Police Station, Jandiala Police Station, the Special Cell, and Amritsar Rural Police. He stated that gangsters operating from across the border, along with anti-national elements, were attempting to lure Punjab’s youth into criminal activities and disrupt peace in the state, but police were taking firm action to dismantle such networks.

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According to the DIG, the first accused, identified as Jaskaran Singh of Raniyan, was arrested with five Pakistan-made pistols, nine magazines, and live cartridges. During interrogation, police obtained information about several of his associates, and further arrests are expected in the coming days.

In another operation, police arrested Manish Kumar alias Mani and recovered three pistols along with 400 grams of a narcotic substance. Officials said the accused has a criminal background and is suspected of having been involved in multiple unlawful activities.

Police also apprehended Ravaljit Singh alias Sonu and one of his associates, who are believed to be the main shooters in the murder case of advocate Lakhwinder Singh in Jandiala Guru. Investigators said the duo was also allegedly involved in a recent firing incident targeting a village sarpanch. Two foreign-made pistols were recovered from their possession.

Gill revealed that preliminary investigations had uncovered links between the arrested accused, foreign-based handlers, Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, and cross-border weapon-smuggling networks that allegedly use drones to transport arms into Punjab. He said several suspects were in contact with jailed gangsters and were allegedly planning extortion, targeted shootings, and murder-related crimes.

The DIG said gangsters often create fear among businessmen and traders by opening fire at their residences or commercial establishments before demanding extortion money. However, he maintained that the latest operation had significantly disrupted such criminal plans and dealt a major blow to organised extortion networks.

Emphasising Punjab Police’s preventive policing strategy, Gill said the force’s priority was to stop crimes before they occurred. He warned that gangsters, extortionists, and anyone attempting to disturb law and order would face strict action and would not be spared under any circumstances.

The DIG further disclosed that a separate joint operation conducted by Punjab Police and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Dream City area had led to the arrest of an individual allegedly linked to a narco-terror module. Investigation into the case is ongoing, and officials indicated that more significant revelations could emerge as the probe progresses.

Punjab Police said efforts to dismantle gangster networks, narcotics syndicates, and cross-border terror-linked operations would continue, with further arrests and recoveries expected as investigations move forward.