Arms smuggling module busted, Afghan national among 4 held
Arms Smuggling Network Disrupted, Afghan National Among Four Arrested
Arms smuggling module busted Afghan national – Punjab Police officials announced on Monday the dismantling of a cross-border illegal arms smuggling and hawala operation, resulting in the detention of four individuals. Among them was an Afghan national, who is believed to have played a key role in the network.
Weapons and Cash Seized
During the operation, law enforcement recovered eight advanced pistols and seven live ammunition rounds, according to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. Additionally, a scooter was confiscated from the suspects.
“The arms were being transported to criminal groups for onward distribution,” said the DGP.
Arrested Individuals Identified
The detainees include Esmailkhel Tawhid (30), currently based in Pune, Maharashtra, though originally from Afghanistan; Mangjit Singh (20) and Shamsher Singh (26), both from Fatehabad village in Tarn Taran; and Gurlal Singh (42), residing in Rajatal village, Amritsar.
Operational Breakdown
Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar shared that police acted on credible intelligence to arrest Mangjit and Shamsher, seizing three pistols and seven cartridges. Further inquiry into the foreign-linked network led to the detention of Gurlal Singh, during which three more weapons were found. His statements also enabled the recovery of two additional pistols from a specified location.
“Interrogations revealed that Mangjit and Shamsher are from the same village and worked together in the smuggling scheme,” added the CP.
Hawala Facilitator Uncovered
The investigation also exposed Esmailkhel Tawhid’s involvement in a hawala system disguised as a dry fruit business, enabling financial transactions tied to the arms trade. This connection highlights the network’s dual operations in both weapon and money laundering activities.
Mangjit Singh, a repeat offender, had a prior Arms Act case filed against him at Sultanwind Police Station in Amritsar, underscoring his familiarity with illicit trafficking methods.