Fazilka, September 12: Two smugglers were arrested near the international border in Fazilka on Thursday with a large cache of pistols and ammunition, in a joint operation by the Border Security Force (BSF), the Counter-Intelligence (CI) wing, Ferozepur, and the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), officials said.
Authorities seized 27 sophisticated .30-bore pistols, 54 magazines, and 470 live cartridges from the accused, who were reportedly backed by Pakistan-based smuggling networks. Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the seizure averted a “major threat” to public safety.
“The consignment had been pushed from Pakistan by a foreign-based network and was intended for supply to criminal gangs in Punjab. Swift action by our forces has averted a major threat. Investigations are underway to trace the forward and backward linkages of this module,” Yadav said.
The arrested individuals were identified as Mangal Singh, alias Mangali, of Tejha Rahela village, and Gurmeet Singh of Muhar Jamsher village, both in Fazilka district.
AIG CI wing, Ferozepur, Gursewak Singh Brar, said the operation was based on specific intelligence near Muhar Jamsher village, close to the Indo-Pak fencing. “After hours of surveillance, the suspects were intercepted carrying a sack full of pistols and cartridges. Interrogation of the first accused led to the immediate arrest of his associate,” Brar said.
Both suspects are in SSOC custody, and investigations are ongoing. A case under the Arms Act has been registered at the SSOC police station in Fazilka.
Officials noted that traffickers often attempt to exploit natural disasters like floods to smuggle contraband, knowing that BSF checkposts may be inundated and police resources are diverted to rescue and relief operations.
During the 2023 floods, for instance, traffickers tried to push narcotics through the Sutlej river at the Hussainiwala border. The CI wing, Ferozepur, intercepted the attempt and seized 77 kg of heroin. Between July 29 and August 3 the same year, joint operations by BSF and Punjab Police led to the seizure of 160 kg of heroin and the arrest of two Pakistanis and six Indian smugglers, along with three firearms.
More recently, on August 28, BSF and Punjab Police intercepted a drone carrying over six kilograms of heroin in Ferozepur and recovered more than one kilogram of heroin in two separate operations.
