Punjab police dismantles interstate arms smuggling syndicate; three detained with 11 pistols and Rs 2 lakh in cash

Chandigarh/Amritsar, October 22: In the pursuit of making Punjab a secure and crime-free state, a directive championed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Police has successfully dismantled an interstate arms smuggling syndicate. The law enforcement agency achieved this significant breakthrough with the arrest of three suspects from the Fatehgarh Churrian area in Batala, announced Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Sunday.

The apprehended individuals have been identified as Anmol Singh from Thetharke village in Batala, Karandeep Masih from Gurchak village in Batala, and Jagroop Singh from Shahpur Jajan in Batala. During the operation, police teams seized a cache of 11 pistols, which includes six .32 bore pistols and five .30 bore pistols, along with magazines and 15 live cartridges. In addition, Rs 2 lakh in cash and one Splendour Motorcycle with registration number PB18P5023 were recovered.

DGP Gaurav Yadav disclosed that the arrest was the result of prompt action based on confidential information indicating the illegal trafficking of firearms from Madhya Pradesh into Punjab for potential distribution to criminal elements within the state. Police units from the Amritsar Counter Intelligence division initiated a targeted operation and detained the three suspects as they were riding their motorcycle in the Fatehgarh Churrian vicinity of Batala.

"Upon questioning, the detained individuals confessed to receiving funds via 'Hawala' channels from their associates based in the USA. These funds were intended for the acquisition of arms and ammunition from Madhya Pradesh," stated DGP Gaurav Yadav. He further added that the police are diligently working to dismantle the entire network and identify the complete procurement and supply chain to effectively dismantle the operation.

The individuals in the USA linked to these illicit activities have been identified as Kirandeep Singh Randhawa, a resident of Gurchak village in Batala, and Jarmanjit Singh, hailing from Naurangabad in Tarn Taran.

Preliminary investigations have also revealed that the arrested gang was plotting to target rival gang members.

A case has been registered under FIR number 43, dated 22.10.2023, which includes charges under section 25 of the Arms Act, sections 109, 115, 120, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and sections 3 and 4 of the Money Laundering Act. The case has been filed at the Police Stations SSOC Amritsar.