Punjab Police dismantled a sophisticated cross-border arms smuggling syndicate on Thursday, apprehending six individuals, including the mastermind, in a sweeping operation. The arrests, executed by the Amritsar police, have dealt a significant blow to illegal arms trafficking in the region, with authorities recovering six high-tech weapons and Rs 5.75 lakh in illicit cash.

The operation, led under the supervision of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, targeted a well-organized network allegedly orchestrated by Mehakpreet Singh, alias Rohit, who was acting on instructions from foreign-based handlers. The syndicate’s operations spanned multiple locations, with the police uncovering critical evidence at various stages of the investigation. The first arrest, that of Pargat Singh, yielded two weapons smuggled across the border, setting the stage for further breakthroughs.

Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of Ajaybir Singh, Karanbir Singh, and Shri Ram, with additional weapons seized, strengthening the case against the smuggling ring. The kingpin, Mehakpreet Singh, was tracked down and arrested in Goa, where three more sophisticated firearms were recovered from his possession. According to DGP Yadav, the syndicate relied heavily on hawala channels to launder their illicit proceeds, leading to the arrest of Dinesh Kumar, who was caught with Rs 5.75 lakh in hawala money.

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The operation began with a tip-off, prompting the Amritsar police to launch a meticulous investigation that unraveled the syndicate’s complex web of operations. A case has been registered at Gate Hakima police station in Amritsar, and authorities are confident that ongoing investigations will uncover additional links in the smuggling chain. “Further investigation is underway to trace the forward and backward linkages, with more arrests and recoveries likely,” DGP Yadav stated in a post on X, signaling the police’s commitment to rooting out the network entirely.

This bust highlights the Punjab Police’s relentless efforts to curb cross-border crime, particularly the smuggling of arms that threatens regional security. The recovery of advanced weaponry underscores the syndicate’s potential to fuel violence and organized crime, making this operation a critical step in maintaining law and order. As investigations continue, the police are working to identify the foreign handlers orchestrating the operation, with expectations of further revelations in the coming days.

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