Punjab: One arrested for running inter-state organised arms smuggling racket; four pistols recovered

New Delhi [India], August 16 (ANI): In a major blow to illegal arms smuggling, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, has apprehended one person for running an inter-state organised arms smuggling racket. Four illegal .32 pistols have also been recovered, said Punjab police on Friday.
The accused was providing logistical assistance to various gangs, he was supplying illegal arms in Punjab from Madhya Pradesh, said Punjab police.
SSOC Mohali is working to uncover the entire network, following both forward and backward linkages, Punjab police added.
Further investigation is underway. More details into the matter are awaited.
Earlier on August 14, in a breakthrough against organised crime, the Anti Gangster Task Force of Punjab Police arrested five persons, including the mastermind Sunil Bhandari alias Nata, who were wanted in several cases of heinous crimes including three recent killings in Ferozepur.
According to the Police, the accused Nata was the mastermind of the broad daylight sensational murder on July 31, 2024. The Gang was moving in two SUVs when arrested on a tip-off early morning near National Highway Rajpura. 5 pistols with 40 live cartridges and two vehicles were recovered.
On August 13, in an intelligence-based operation, the State Special Operation Cell Amritsar (SSOC) busted a cross-border smuggling module by apprehending two suspects from Chabal, Tarn Taran and recovered sophisticated illegal weapons from them.
During preliminary investigations, it was found that both accused have been receiving consignments of illegal weapons sent through drones by their cross-border handlers.
According to the Police, the accused have been in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler, who has been pushing huge consignments of weapons and drugs into Indian territory through drones and other means. 4 pistols along with 4 magazines were recovered in the operation. An FIR has been registered at Police Station SSOC, Amritsar. Police say investigations are underway to determine the previous smuggling activities carried out by the accused. (ANI)