Punjab Police Cracks Down on Inter-State and Cross-Border Arms Smuggling Rackets

Punjab Police's SSOC and Anti-Gangster Task Force make significant arrests in inter-state and cross-border arms smuggling operations. Several illegal weapons and suspects, including masterminds behind heinous crimes, have been apprehended. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of these smuggling networks.

In a significant crackdown on illegal arms smuggling, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of SAS Nagar has apprehended an individual involved in an inter-state arms smuggling racket. Authorities have recovered four illegal .32 pistols, Punjab police announced on Friday. The accused was allegedly providing logistical support to various gangs, aiding the supply of illegal arms from Madhya Pradesh to Punjab.

The SSOC Mohali is currently investigating both forward and backward linkages to dismantle the entire network, according to a statement from the Punjab police. Further details are anticipated as the investigation continues.

On August 14, the Anti-Gangster Task Force of Punjab Police had a breakthrough against organized crime, arresting five individuals, including the mastermind Sunil Bhandari alias Nata. These individuals were wanted in multiple heinous crime cases, including three recent murders in Ferozepur. Authorities stated that Nata was the key orchestrator behind the sensational daytime murder on July 31, 2024. Acting on a tip-off, the gang was intercepted early morning near National Highway Rajpura, leading to the recovery of five pistols, 40 live cartridges, and two SUVs.

On August 13, SSOC Amritsar busted a cross-border smuggling module in an intelligence-led operation. Two suspects from Chabal, Tarn Taran, were apprehended, and sophisticated illegal weapons were seized. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were receiving illegal weapon consignments via drones from their cross-border handlers. According to the police, the accused were in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler who was sending large consignments of weapons and drugs into India. The operation resulted in the recovery of four pistols and four magazines, and an FIR has been registered at the SSOC Police Station in Amritsar. Investigations are ongoing to trace the previous smuggling activities of the accused.

(With inputs from agencies.)