Weapon smuggling network exposed in Amritsar; 16 suspects arrested: 2 hand grenades, heroin, 26 live cartridges found; links to foreign handlers

Amritsar Rural Police have uncovered several networks while taking action against illegal weapons, explosives and drug trafficking. The police claim to have also solved three firing incidents during this operation. A total of 16 accused have been arrested in separate cases. From them, 5 illegal pistols, 2 modern Uzi guns, 2 hand grenades, 34 kg of heroin and 26 live cartridges were seized.

Initial investigation revealed that foreign handlers were supplying the illegal weapons and that the arrested accused were in contact with handlers based abroad. It is alleged that these overseas handlers supplied the accused with illegal weapons, which were then passed on to individuals involved in criminal activities.

The police are now tracing the entire network to identify other persons linked to the supply of weapons and drugs. Separate FIRs have been filed in five police stations—Ghrinda, Byas, Mehta, Lopoke and Chehartaa—regarding this operation. The arrested accused are being interrogated. During the investigation, efforts are being made to determine where the accused obtained the weapons and heroin and to whom they subsequently supplied them.