Amritsar’s Counter Intelligence (CI) has successfully dismantled an illegal arms smuggling racket, thwarting a Pakistan-backed conspiracy to destabilize the state. The operation led to the arrest of one operative, Abhishek Kumar, who had been distributing weapons to anti-social elements on the instructions of his Australia-based handler, Jassa.

The state’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the arrested accused, a resident of Meerankot Kalan village in Amritsar, was found in possession of seven pistols, including five .30 bore and two advanced 9MM Glock pistols, four cartridges, and a sum of Rs 1.5 lakh. The police also impounded the Mahindra Thar vehicle used by Kumar for smuggling the arms.

The operation was initiated after credible intelligence revealed that Jassa, based in Australia, had orchestrated the illegal weapon supply network in collusion with Pakistan-based smugglers. The arms were being smuggled through the Indo-Pak border and distributed to local criminals for destabilizing activities across Punjab. Kumar and his associate, Jodhbir Singh alias Jodha, were actively involved in receiving and distributing these consignments.

Acting on specific intelligence, the CI Amritsar team raided a location near Morh Village Fatehgarh Shukarchak on the Amritsar-Pathankot Bypass and arrested Kumar while he was transporting the illegal weapons in his vehicle. Further investigations have linked both Kumar and Jodha to hawala transactions, suggesting a larger criminal network at play. A manhunt is underway to apprehend Jodha.

An FIR has been registered under various sections of the Arms Act, with further investigations ongoing.