Amritsar Police Seize Uzi Guns and 34kg Heroin, Arrest 16ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਨੇ ਉਜ਼ੀ ਬੰਦੂਕਾਂ ਅਤੇ 34 ਕਿਲੋ ਹੈਰੋਇਨ ਬਰਾਮਦ ਕੀਤੀ, 16 ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰ

Amritsar Rural Police have busted several illegal arms, explosives and drug trafficking networks, arresting 16 people and recovering two Israeli-made Uzi sub-machine guns, five pistols, two hand grenades and 34 kilograms of heroin, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Thursday, 5 November. Police say it is the first time Uzi guns have been recovered in Punjab. The seizures are police allegations; the accused have not been tried in court.

What did the police recover?

According to the DGP, the recoveries include five illegal pistols, two sophisticated Uzi guns, two hand grenades, 34 kilograms of heroin and 26 live cartridges. The operation was carried out by Amritsar Rural Police, and officers said the arrests had also helped solve three firing incidents in the state. NDTV reported that the Israeli-made Uzi guns were recovered in Punjab for the first time.

Foreign handlers alleged

Preliminary investigation suggests the accused were in contact with foreign-based handlers who facilitated the supply of illegal weapons for further distribution among criminal elements, the police said. Separate FIRs have been registered at the Gharinda, Beas, Mehta, Lopoke and Chatiwind police stations in Amritsar district, and further investigation is under way to trace the networks' wider links.

A second big Amritsar seizure in three days

The rural police operation comes two days after the Amritsar Commissionerate Police announced a separate bust on 3 November, arresting 11 people and seizing 12 pistols and two live hand grenades in the Ranjit Avenue, Sultanwind and Chheharta areas. Police said that earlier network used drones to drop weapons and drugs across the border. Together, the two operations point to a sustained flow of sophisticated weapons into the border district, alongside large heroin consignments.

How many people were arrested in the Amritsar operation?

Sixteen people were arrested by Amritsar Rural Police, DGP Gaurav Yadav said. Police say the arrests also helped solve three firing incidents.

What weapons and drugs were seized?

Police recovered two Uzi sub-machine guns, five pistols, two hand grenades, 26 live cartridges and 34 kilograms of heroin. NDTV reported the Uzi recovery was a first for Punjab.

Where have cases been registered?

Separate FIRs have been registered at the Gharinda, Beas, Mehta, Lopoke and Chatiwind police stations in Amritsar district, and the investigation is continuing.