Punjab Police Uncover Major Arms Smuggling Ring Linked to ISI

Significant Operation Against Smuggling

Amritsar: In a major development, Punjab Police, in collaboration with central agencies, have successfully dismantled a significant trans-border smuggling operation involving advanced weaponry and drug financing, allegedly managed by handlers associated with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), officials reported on Sunday.

Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated, "The Amritsar Rural Police, working closely with central agencies, has disrupted a major smuggling network involving sophisticated arms and drug money, operated by handlers backed by the ISI from Pakistan."

The operation led to the apprehension of five primary suspects: Jobanjit Singh, Gora Singh, Shenshan, Sunny Singh, and Jaspreet Singh.

Authorities confiscated a substantial amount of weaponry and cash, which included an AK Saiga 308 assault rifle with two magazines, two Glock 9mm pistols with four magazines, 90 live rounds for the AK rifle, 10 live rounds for the 9mm, Rs 7.50 lakh in drug money, a vehicle, and three mobile phones.

DGP Yadav noted that initial investigations indicated the suspects had direct connections with ISI operatives based in Pakistan.

"The intercepted shipment was meant for Nav, also known as Nav Pandori, a known associate of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, highlighting a larger terror-gangster connection," the DGP added.

Jagdeep Singh, alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, hailing from Gurdaspur, has over 120 criminal cases against him, including murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and breaches of the Arms Act. He is considered a notorious figure in Punjab and is reportedly a mentor to Lawrence Bishnoi, according to various reports.

The Punjab Police reaffirmed their dedication to combating organized crime and terrorism within the state, asserting their commitment to dismantling terror networks, eradicating organized crime, and ensuring peace and safety throughout Punjab.

This operation follows another significant crackdown just a day prior, where authorities dismantled a separate cross-border heroin smuggling operation.

Four key operatives with direct ties to smugglers in Pakistan were arrested while transporting heroin near the India-Pakistan border in Attari, with police seizing 4 kg of the drug during the operation.