In a major breakthrough against cross-border crime, the Amritsar Police have busted a sophisticated drone-based arms smuggling module operating with links to Pakistan-based handlers. The operation led to the recovery of 10 modern pistols, several live cartridges, and the arrest of four accused who were allegedly involved in receiving and supplying illegal weapons smuggled into India through drones.
Weapons confiscated
Addressing the media, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the operation exposed a well-organised network that was using drones to transport weapons across the international border into Punjab. The recovered cache includes eight .30 bore pistols and two 9mm pistols along with several live cartriges. According to the police, some of the firearms were manufactured in China and Pakistan, indicating the involvement of an international cross-border smuggling network. The weapons were considered to be lethal and in good condition.
Details of the accused
The Police Commissioner said that the arrested accused have been identified as Ravi and Sharanvir alias Sunny, residents of rural Amritsar, and Manpreet alias Mannu and Pippal Singh, residents of Ferozepur district. They also arrested one accused who is from a village near the Attari border. The accused Ravi and Sunny are of age 31 and 33 and work as a labourer and mason respectively. On the other hand Manpreet and Pippal are of ages 21 and 22. Among them one is unemployed and other works as a labourer. Preliminary investigation has revealed that Ravi and Sunny had one case under 307 already registered under their name.
Gang involved in cross border dropping
During the investigation, police found that the entire module was being operated under the directions of Pakistan-based smugglers, with a handler known by the alias "Chacha" playing a key role in coordinating the network. The gang allegedly targeted unemployed and financially vulnerable youth living in Punjab’s border belt by luring them with money to receive weapon consignments dropped by drones. Once the weapons landed in Indian territory, local receivers would collect them and further distribute them to criminal elements.
Places of the weapon dropping
Commissioner Bhullar revealed that the network was active across both the Attari and Ferozepur border sectors, where drones were frequently used to drop consignments of illegal arms. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Amritsar Police launched a coordinated operation that successfully dismantled the module before the weapons could be circulated further.
Police teams involved in the arrest
The operation was carried out jointly by teams of the DCP Investigation, ADCP Jagwinder Singh, the ACP Investigation, and officers from the Anti-Narcotics and Anti-Gangster Unit, highlighting close coordination among different wings of the police.
Appeal to the youth
The Police Commissioner warned that such cross-border smuggling networks pose a serious threat to Punjab's youth and national security. He said Pakistan-based handlers are increasingly attempting to exploit vulnerable young people by offering quick money in exchange for illegal activities. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious movement, drone activity, or unlawful activities to the police. He appealed the youth to stay away from the manipulation of such miscreants and not take law in their hands. He also added that this will not lead to any success but only will damage their and family’s lives.
Police officials said further investigations are underway to identify other members of the network, trace the intended recipients of the weapons, and uncover the wider conspiracy behind the cross-border arms smuggling operation. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking strict action against those involved in activities that threaten the security and peace of the state.
