Punjab police dashes Pakistan-linked arms and narcotics network, seizes heroin and firearms

Amritsar (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Police, in a major crackdown on cross-border smuggling, has busted a dangerous arms and drug network operating from Pakistan. Acting on intelligence, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police arrested five suspects. Six sophisticated pistols (five .30 bore and one Glock 9mm) and 1 kilogram 10 grams of heroin were recovered from their possession.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav shared details of the operation in a post on his official X handle. He wrote that the accused were in contact with Pakistani handlers through social media and drones and coordinated the smuggling and distribution of weapons and drugs in Punjab. Police have registered FIRs under the Arms Act and the NDPS Act at the Chheharta and Cantonment police stations. An intensive investigation is underway to dismantle the entire network. The operation took place in the border areas of Amritsar, where consignments of weapons and drugs have been arriving from Pakistan via drones. Initial investigations revealed that the arrested accused were operating the network in various parts of Punjab. They communicated with Pakistani handlers using code words on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The drones dropped the consignments across the border, which were picked up by local agents. This consignment of heroin was brought to India from Afghanistan via Pakistan. The weapons are of Austrian and American origin and could have been used for terrorist activities.

The arrested accused have been identified as residents of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur. The mastermind is said to be a former smuggler who became active again after being released from jail. Police also seized their mobile phones, SIM cards, and drone parts. The DGP stated that the Punjab Police is fully committed to preventing smuggling and ensuring public safety along the India-Pakistan border. Over 50 drone-based smuggling cases have been reported in the past few months, with over 100 drones seized.