The Amritsar police have busted a cross-border illegal arms trafficking module with the arrest of five persons having criminal antecedents. The police also recovered eight sophisticated pistols from their possession.
Those arrested included Arshdeep Singh, alias D (21) of Guru Ki Wadali, Manpreet Singh, alias Mann (26), of Bhaini village, Sukhraj Singh, alias Billa (29), of Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran, Rahul Gill, alias Rahul (22) of Bhikhiwind (currently residing in Drajke village, Tarn Taran), and Arshdeep Singh, alias Gagarh (25), of Lohke village in Tarn Taran.
Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said that the accused were in regular contact with a foreign-based smuggler using virtual numbers. The module was reportedly receiving consignments of weapons and narcotics via drones from across the border for distribution to criminal elements within Punjab.
“The arrested accused have previous criminal records, with cases registered against them under the Arms Act, NDPS Act, attempt to murder, kidnapping and the Prisons Act,” said Police Commissioner (Amritsar) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar.
The police seized eight pistols, including 9mm Zigana, .30 bore PX3 (made in China), .30 bore Beretta (Made in Italy), three 9mm Glock pistols, two .32 bore pistols along with live cartridges.
Sharing details, Bhullar said that acting on specific intelligence, the police first apprehended Rahul Gill and recovered two pistols from him. Based on his disclosure, Arshdeep Singh, alias Gagarh, was arrested and one Glock pistol was recovered from him.
Subsequently, Arshdeep Singh, alias D, and Manpreet Singh, alias Mann, were intercepted on a motorcycle near Meeri Peeri Academy Road in Chheharta, leading to the recovery of two more pistols. Two additional pistols were recovered based on their disclosures.
During interrogation, both accused revealed that the weapons had been procured from Sukhraj Singh, alias Billa, who was later arrested with a .30 bore Beretta pistol in his possession.
Two separate cases have been registered at the Chheharta police station under relevant sections of the Arms Act, said the Police Commissioner.
Further investigation is underway to uncover the full network, including forward and backward linkages of the smuggling module.
