Faridkot, 17 September (H.S.): Faridkot Police have busted an alleged international arms smuggling network being operated from jail and arrested two men. Police said 10 illegal pistols and 20 live cartridges were recovered from their possession.

According to police, they received information that two suspects were moving near Talwandi Bhai Road, close to Central Modern Jail, with a large consignment of arms and ammunition. Acting on the input, a CIA Staff Faridkot team laid a trap near the canal bridge on Kotkapura Road and apprehended the duo.

The arrested accused have been identified as 21-year-old Rajbir Singh alias Amit and 25-year-old Amar Singh alias Amar. Both are residents of Sann Sahib Road, Baba Deep Singh Colony, Chheharta, in Amritsar district.

Police claimed that three .30-bore Zigana pistols, one .30-bore PX-5 Storm pistol, two country-made .32-bore pistols and four country-made .30-bore pistols were recovered from the accused. Twenty live cartridges were also seized.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that the alleged network was being operated on the instructions of Deep Singh alias

Deepak, a resident of Raunwali in the Attari area of Amritsar, who is currently lodged in jail.

Police alleged that the gang was in contact with smugglers based in Pakistan and was receiving weapon consignments dropped through drones in the border belt. The weapons were allegedly meant to be supplied in Faridkot and neighbouring districts.

A case has been registered at Faridkot City Police Station. Police said further investigation is underway to identify local associates, trace the arms supply chain and examine the alleged international links of the network.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH