Even as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing suspected Pakistan and Australia links to a drone-based arms drop in Amritsar in June this year, Punjab Police on Sunday busted a module involved in smuggling sophisticated weapons in the state on the directions of their handlers sitting in different countries.
"In a major breakthrough, Counter Intelligence, Amritsar busted an illegal arms smuggling network, apprehended two accused and recovered 10 sophisticated pistols, magazines and 10 live 9mm cartridges", Director General of Punjab Police Gourav Yadav posted on the official social media handle.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were allegedly in contact with a foreign-based handler and receiving illegal arms consignments from across the border for further supply to other parties in Punjab.
In a major breakthrough, Counter Intelligence, Amritsar busts an illegal arms smuggling network, apprehends two accused and recovers 10 sophisticated pistols, magazines and 10 live 9mm cartridges.
— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) August 23, 2026
Preliminary investigation reveals that the accused were allegedly in contact with… pic.twitter.com/ueH7YHytxw
An FIR has been registered at Police Station State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar. Further investigation is underway to establish the complete forward and backward linkages, identify other accomplices, and uncover the wider cross-border smuggling network.
Earlier, on August 19, Punjab Police dismantled three major drug and illegal arms supply networks, apprehended nine accused, and recovered eight illegal pistols, 8.536 Kg heroin, Rs 12.95 lakh drug money and 4 live cartridges.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused in the arms and drug cases were allegedly in contact with foreign-based handlers, receiving illegal arms and heroin consignments and supplying them to other criminal elements.
Three FIRs have been registered at Police Station Cantonment and Police Station Chheharta, in Amritsar. Further investigation is underway to establish the complete forward and backward linkages, identify other persons involved, and dismantle the wider drug trafficking and illegal arms supply networks.
On August 10, Punjab Police dismantled two major cross-border drug and illegal arms supply networks, arrested seven accused, and recovered 10 illegal pistols, 1.054 Kg of heroin, 5 live cartridges, and a drone.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the accused were in contact with foreign-based smugglers who were facilitating the supply of illegal arms and heroin across the international border.
NIA probing Australia, Pakistan links in arms drop cases
According to reports, the NIA has started an investigation to probe Pakistan and Australia links to a drone-based arms drop in Amritsar in June this year.
As per reports, the Border Security Force and Punjab Police, in a joint operation, arrested a youth on June 18 this year near the Pakistan border after collecting a consignment of 26 weapons near the border.
The cache included an AK-47, 14 9mm pistols, 11 .30-bore pistols, 368 live cartridges, 48 magazines and an American bulletproof vest.
The consignment was dropped near the Ajnala sector, under BSF border outpost 117, on the intervening night of June 16 and 17 through a rogue drone intrusion.
After recovering this huge consignment of arms, the NIA has started an investigation to probe the role of an Australia-based criminal turned terrorist.
Investigators suspected a network involving Pakistan's ISI, gangsters and pro-Khalistan elements and are verifying the intended destination of the weapons.
