Three arrested with 2 assault rifles, 10 kg heroin in Punjab’s Amritsar
Punjab Police on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, said it has dismantled an illegal arms and narcotics supply network operating in Amritsar, arresting three people and seizing 10.030 kg of heroin along with two assault rifles. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the accused were allegedly linked to foreign-based smugglers and were sourcing weapons and drugs for circulation within the border State.
Modus Operandi: Orchard near border used for drone drops
According to police, the suspects had leased about one acre of land at Modhe village, roughly 500 metres from the India–Pakistan border, ostensibly for a guava orchard. Investigators said the site was used as a landing and retrieval point for consignments of drugs and weapons dropped by drones from across the border. Officials described the method as a “unique” tactic designed to blend smuggling activities with legitimate agricultural use.
Seizure details and arrests
DGP Yadav said police recovered 10.030 kg of heroin, two sophisticated assault rifles—an AK-47 and an AK-56—along with three magazines and 10 live cartridges during the operation. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sandeep Singh, 32; his wife, Kamaljit Kaur, 31; and her brother, Bikramjit Singh, 23. All three are residents of Amritsar Rural.
Roles within the alleged network
Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal said Sandeep Singh and Kamaljit Kaur were jointly managing the cross-border smuggling operations. Bikramjit Singh allegedly acted as a courier, assisting in retrieving, transporting, and delivering the illicit consignments after they were dropped by drones.
Police added that Sandeep Singh is a history-sheeter with four prior criminal cases registered against him under the Arms Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, among others.
Operation based on specific intelligence
Border Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the arrests followed swift action on specific intelligence inputs. Teams from Police Station Gharinda executed a targeted operation to apprehend the suspects and seize the contraband and weapons.
Foreign links under probe
Investigators said preliminary findings indicate the trio’s alleged connections with foreign-based smugglers. The accused were reportedly acting as a local conduit, procuring and distributing drugs and illegal arms within Punjab.
Ongoing investigation
DGP Yadav said further investigation is underway to map the complete backward and forward linkages of the network and identify additional individuals involved. Police are working to establish the supply chain across the border, the local handlers, and the intended distribution routes within the State.
Significance
The operation highlights ongoing efforts by Punjab Police to counter drone-assisted cross-border smuggling near the international border. The seizure of high-calibre assault rifles alongside a substantial quantity of heroin underscores the convergence of narcotics trafficking and illegal arms proliferation in the region, officials said.
