Punjab Newsline | Amritsar
Drones Used to Deliver Illegal Weapons from Pakistan; More Arrests Likely as Probe Deepens
Amritsar Commissionerate Police has achieved a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on organized crime by dismantling a cross-border arms smuggling module and arresting four accused persons. Seven sophisticated pistols have been recovered from their possession, highlighting the scale and seriousness of the network. The operation was carried out as part of the Punjab government’s drive to ensure a safe and secure state under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav stated that the arrested accused have been identified as Samarbir Singh alias Simar (21), Satnam Singh alias Satta (23), Tanupreet Singh (26), and Karanjot Singh alias Sajan (26), all residents of Amritsar or nearby areas. The recovered weapons include two 9mm Glock pistols made in Austria, four .30 bore pistols made in China, and one additional .30 bore pistol.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused were in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers through social media platforms. The illegal consignments were reportedly transported across the border using drones and later distributed among criminal elements through a network of local associates. Police officials believe the module was part of a larger organized network with both domestic and international links.
Commissioner of Police Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar shared that the arrests were made during a well-planned intelligence-based operation. The main accused Samarbir Singh was initially apprehended with two Glock pistols, and subsequent interrogation led to the arrest of his three associates and the recovery of five more weapons.
Further investigation has revealed that Satnam Singh alias Satta was previously involved in a narcotics case involving the recovery of 8 kg heroin. Authorities also found that all four accused were well-educated and had earlier worked in private sector jobs, indicating a shift towards criminal activities under external influence.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Arms Act at Police Station Cantonment, Amritsar. Police officials have confirmed that further investigations are underway to uncover forward and backward linkages, and more arrests and recoveries are expected in the coming days.
