The Punjab Police havearrested two members of a module using drones for cross-border smuggling ofnarcotics and weapons through an international network, includingPakistan-based smugglers with links to Khalistani operatives.
Theaccused, identified as Lakhbir Singh @ Lakha and Bachittar Singh, were arrestedby Amritsar (Rural) police through certain leads, with further investigationsexpected to track their associates, including four drug smugglers currentlylodged in Amrtisar Jail.
DGPDinkar Gupta disclosed that one quadcopter drone with a full Supporter standand one SkyDroid T10 2.4GHz 10CH FHSS Transmitter, along with mini Receiver andcamera support, have been seized, along with one .32 bore Revolver and 1Scorpio car HR-35M-3709, as well as some live cartridges and drugs.
Givingdetails of the case, the DGP said that Lakhbir Singh, r/o village Chak MishriKhan, PS Lopoke, the main suspect, wasnabbed from near Gurudwara Tahla Sahib, PS Chattiwind, Amritsar (Rural) onMonday. During investigations, Lakhbir Singh revealed that he had procured aQuadcopter Drone from Delhi about four months ago and the drone was currentlyat the residence of his associate Bachittar Singh at Guru Amardas Avenue, Amritsar.
Furtherinvestigations, spearheaded by ASP Rana and DSP Nagra, under the supervision of SSP, DhruvDhaiya, revealed that Lakhbir Singh wasin close and frequent contact with 4 major drug smugglers of Ajnala, who arecurrently lodged in Amritsar Jail. A search in the prison led to the recoveryof a touch smartphone from the possession of Lakhbir’s associate Surjit Masih,a drug smuggler.
Accordingto the DGP, investigations so far show that Lakhbir Singh had established anextensive communication network with foreign smugglers and entities, and was inclose and frequent contact with a notorious Pakistan based smuggler namelyChishti. Chisthi is also in touch with Pakistan based Khalistani operatives,and has been responsible for smuggling of significant cross–border consignmentsinto India from Pakistan in the past.
It wasone Simranjit Singh, currently in Amritsar Jail, who persuaded Lakhbir Singh topurchase a drone for cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons. SimranjitSingh has also been nominated as an accused in the case, said Gupta. About fourmonths ago, Lakhbir Singh and his associate Gurpinder Singh went to New Delhi,and purchased a heavy duty Quadcopter Drone from TRD Enterprises, Janakpuri,along with SkyDroid T10 2.4GHz 10CH FHSS Transmitter, for Rs 4 lakhs.
An FIRno. 202 dated 14.12.2020 u/s 411, 414 IPC, 25 Arms Act, 21, 23 NDPS Act, 10,11, 12 Aircraft Act, 1954, PS Gharinda, has been registered against LakhbirSingh and Bachittar Singh, both r/o ChakMishri Khan, PS Lopoke and Gurpinder Singh Khapar Kheri, PS Gharinda, andunknown persons.