Chandigarh/Gurdaspur, September 13: Gurdaspur Police, in coordination with a central agency, has busted a cross-border arms-smuggling module with the arrest of five people following a hot chase, recovering six pistols, including a 9mm Beretta and a 9mm Glock, along with 49 live cartridges.
The arrests were made as part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Sunday.
The arrested persons have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha of Aluna, Karan Kumar of Bhaupur Afgana, Balraj Singh alias Buri of Basantkot, Amrik Singh alias Sonu of Joriya Kalan in Dera Baba Nanak, and Manjinder Singh alias Mangu of Upal, all in Gurdaspur district. Police also impounded the Mahindra Scorpio used by the accused.
DGP Yadav said preliminary investigation had revealed that the recovered weapons and ammunition were smuggled into Punjab from across the border using drones. Further investigation is underway to establish the backward and forward linkages of the network and identify others involved in the cross-border arms-smuggling operation.
Giving details of the operation, Gurdaspur SSP Aditya said police teams from the Special Branch Gurdaspur and Dorangla and Behrampur police stations, acting on reliable intelligence, spotted a Mahindra Scorpio parked at the intersection of Nurpur Theh village.
Two persons were found outside the vehicle while three others were inside. On noticing the police team, the driver sped away, prompting officers to intercept the vehicle. The two persons present at the spot were apprehended immediately.
The police team then launched a hot pursuit of the Scorpio and intercepted it in the jurisdiction of Kalanaur police station. Gangster Balraj Singh alias Buri Basantkotia and two of his associates were arrested during the operation.
Police recovered six pistols, magazines and 49 live cartridges from the accused.
According to SSP Aditya, Balraj Singh alias Buri Basantkotia is a notorious criminal with 26 FIRs registered against him in cases relating to murder, attempt to murder, offences under the Arms Act and the NDPS Act.
A case, FIR No. 96 dated September 13, 2026, has been registered at Dorangla Police Station under Sections 25(8) and 27 of the Arms Act. Further investigation is underway.
