Major Arms Recovery Uncovers ISI-Backed Network in Punjab
In a major crackdown on cross-border arms smuggling, the Amritsar Rural Police, in coordination with central intelligence agencies, have arrested five individuals allegedly involved in a transnational smuggling network with links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). A significant consignment of arms and ammunition, suspected to have been smuggled in from across the border using drones, was recovered during the operation. Authorities have confirmed that the weapons cache was part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize the region through coordinated efforts involving terrorist organizations.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Maninder Singh, while speaking to ANI, confirmed the arrests and recovery. He stated, “Amritsar Rural Police, in collaboration with central agencies, conducted a successful operation that led to the arrest of five individuals in Kaler village. From their possession, we recovered one AK-series assault rifle, 90 live cartridges, two AK magazines, two Glock pistols, four Glock magazines, and ₹7.5 lakh believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking.”
Drone Route Used to Deliver Arms from Across Border
Initial investigations have revealed that the arms consignment was sent by a person identified as Rana, who is allegedly connected to ISI-sponsored terror modules. The consignment, investigators believe, was sent across the border via drone—a growing trend in Punjab’s border regions, where drones have increasingly been used to transport arms, explosives, and narcotics.
SSP Singh stated, “Rana is suspected to have close links with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a designated terrorist group with historical ties to pro-Khalistani movements. Rana sent this consignment through drone delivery, evading traditional land routes and minimizing human involvement to reduce detection risks.”
Arrested Individuals Linked to Gangster and Terror Networks
The five individuals arrested have been identified as Joban, Gora, Jaspreet, Sunny, and Shenshan. According to police, they were intercepted in a vehicle at Kaler village during a joint surveillance and pursuit operation. Their interrogation revealed that the weapons were ordered by Nav Pandori, a known associate of notorious gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.
Pandori’s involvement has raised alarms about the deepening nexus between organized crime and terror networks operating within Punjab and across the border. Bhagwanpuria is already known for his role in several criminal cases, and his links to pro-Khalistani groups have been under investigation.
“The arrested individuals admitted that they were acting on instructions from Nav Pandori. The firearms were intended to be distributed further to sleeper cells and criminal gangs in Punjab,” said the SSP. “This is a worrying sign that terror groups are collaborating with local criminal elements to destabilize law and order in the state.”
Investigations Point Toward Larger Conspiracy
Law enforcement officials believe that the latest seizure is part of a broader strategy by ISI-backed terror groups to create unrest in Punjab, a state already vulnerable to narcotics smuggling and gang violence. Central agencies have joined the probe, and efforts are underway to identify the exact drone launch location, the handlers involved in Pakistan, and local recipients of previous consignments.
The recovered weapons are currently undergoing forensic analysis to determine their origin and usage history. Meanwhile, authorities are also scanning digital devices recovered from the accused for any communication logs, coordinates, or payment trails that could establish a clear connection with foreign handlers.
Border Security Under Fresh Scrutiny
This incident has once again highlighted the ongoing threat of cross-border smuggling and the need for advanced surveillance mechanisms to counter the growing menace of drone-based deliveries. Border villages like Kaler have become soft targets due to their proximity to the international border and sparse security infrastructure.
A senior official from the security establishment remarked, “The use of drones for arms smuggling shows the evolution of tactics by terror elements. This calls for a comprehensive drone detection and neutralization system along the India-Pakistan border.”
State and Central Forces Step Up Vigil
In the aftermath of the seizure, both state police and central agencies have intensified surveillance operations across Punjab’s border districts. Raids are ongoing at multiple locations, and police believe more arrests are likely in the coming days. SSP Maninder Singh affirmed the commitment of the police force, saying, “We are determined to break this nexus between crime syndicates and foreign-backed terror groups. Our message is clear—Punjab will not be allowed to become a playground for destabilizing forces.”
As investigations continue, this arms recovery has sent ripples across the state’s security landscape, revealing the complex web of cross-border terror, narcotics trade, and organized crime, all fueled by foreign interference.
