Pathankot, March 6 —
Punjab Police have busted an illegal arms smuggling module linked to US-based gangster Pavittar Singh Chaurra, arresting two operatives and recovering four pistols along with ammunition, officials said Thursday.
The accused, Kanwalpreet Singh, alias Kanwar, and Ranjit Singh, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation by Counter Intelligence Pathankot. The seized weapons include one Glock 9mm pistol, one .30 bore pistol, and two .32 bore pistols, along with four magazines and 39 bullets.
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that preliminary investigations confirmed Kanwalpreet’s links with Chaurra, a native of Batala, who arranged the arms consignment for supply to criminal elements in Punjab. “This is part of a larger effort to maintain peace and security in Punjab, as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann,” Yadav said.
AIG CI Sukhminder Singh Mann revealed that both arrested individuals have a criminal history. Kanwalpreet Singh was previously charged in three cases, including attempted murder and criminal trespassing, and was released from Gurdaspur jail in December 2024 before allegedly returning to crime. Ranjit Singh also has a prior case under the Arms Act registered in Police District Batala.
According to police sources, intelligence inputs indicated that the two accused had retrieved a weapon consignment, prompting a swift operation in Police District Batala that led to their arrest. “Efforts are ongoing to trace backward and forward linkages, dismantling the entire network,” said the DGP.
An FIR No. 12, dated March 5, 2025, has been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at SSOC Amritsar.
Punjab Police reiterated their commitment to dismantling organized crime and illegal arms networks, ensuring that such activities do not disrupt the state’s hard-earned peace and harmony.
Read More: Babbar Khalsa Operative Arrested in UP-Punjab Police Joint Operation
