Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Jul 8: Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence (CI) unit in Amritsar has dismantled an alleged illegal arms and explosives smuggling network with the arrest of three suspected operatives linked to the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The operation led to the seizure of six hand grenades, 12 sophisticated pistols and ammunition, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Wednesday.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Chintu, Jobanpreet Singh and Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, all residents of Kakkar village in Amritsar district.
According to police, the recovered cache includes eight .30-bore pistols, four 9 mm pistols and nine live cartridges. The vehicle allegedly used to transport the weapons has also been seized.
DGP Yadav said preliminary investigations indicate that the accused were acting under the instructions of a foreign-based smuggler with alleged backing from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and overseas operatives of Babbar Khalsa International.
Police suspect the trio was planning to distribute the arms and explosives to other associates with the intention of disrupting peace and public order in different parts of Punjab.
Sharing details of the operation, the DGP said the Counter Intelligence unit had received specific intelligence that the accused had recently collected a large consignment of weapons and explosives from the Ajnala area and were on their way to deliver it near the underpass on the Bharatmala bypass highway in Amritsar.
Acting on the information, police teams established a checkpoint, intercepted the suspects' vehicle and recovered six hand grenades along with the 12 pistols during the search.
Officials said the investigation is continuing to identify other members of the network, trace the source of the weapons and establish links with handlers operating from abroad.
A case has been registered at the State Special Operation Cell police station in Amritsar under relevant provisions of the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said further investigations are underway.