Punjab Police Arrest 61 In Major 5G Infrastructure Theft Crackdown

Punjab Police arrested 61 individuals and filed 95 FIRs across the state on Tuesday in a major operation targeting the theft of critical 5G telecom equipment. The crackdown was initiated in response to widespread thefts of high-value components essential for 4G and 5G signal transmission, which threatened to disrupt mobile services in multiple districts. The operation focuses on protecting vital communication infrastructure as Punjab expands its 5G network rollout in cities like Chandigarh, Ludhiana, and Amritsar.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed on the orders of Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and led by Deputy Inspector General Rajpal Sandhu, collaborated with district police units to apprehend the suspects. Utilizing technical surveillance and human intelligence, the SIT recovered significant quantities of stolen equipment. The swift response underscores Punjab Police’s commitment to safeguarding the state’s digital infrastructure, critical for economic and social connectivity.

The thieves targeted GUC1 cards, or baseband units, which are costly components integral to telecom operations. These thefts, executed in under two minutes at remote telecom towers, indicate a highly organized racket. The stolen cards, each worth thousands of rupees, are crucial for processing mobile signals, and their loss could lead to service outages affecting thousands of users.

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Investigations continue to uncover the full scope of the syndicate, including possible insider involvement. Punjab Police have warned perpetrators to cease such activities or face stringent legal action. The operation not only recovers valuable assets but also reinforces efforts to ensure reliable telecom services across the state.

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