Terror Plot Averted? AK-47s, Turkish Pistols Seized in Pathankot; Goldy Brar-Linked Extortion Module Busted in Ludhiana

Punjab

Police have thwarted what officials describe as a major threat, recovering a large cache of assault weapons in Pathankot. The Punjab Police also busted an extortion module linked to gangster Goldy Brar in Ludhiana. In coordinated operations, police seized AK-47 rifles and foreign-made pistols and arrested multiple operatives allegedly involved in arms trafficking, extortion and planned killings aimed at spreading fear across the state.

3 AK-47 Rifles, 2 Pistols Recovered in Pathankot

The Pathankot Police on Saturday recovered a huge cache of weapons and ammunition, which was learnt to be used by terror modules. The Police successfully recovered 03 AK-47 rifles with 05 magazines, 02 foreign-made pistols with 02 magazines, and 98 live cartridges of different calibres, according to officials.According to police, Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda was behind sending the consignment of weapons to carry out sensational crime.Deputy Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Sandeep Goel said police conducted a search operation in the Narot Jaimal Singh area after getting secret information about the weapons. Following the search operation, a team of the Pathankot police found weapons comprising three AK 47 rifles, five magazines, two pistols -- a Turkey made and another made in China -- and 98 live cartridges of different calibre.

The police said a case has been registered against ISI-backed terrorist Rinda at Narot Jaimal Singh Police Station under relevant Sections of the Explosives Act, the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Goldy Brar-Linked Extortion Module Busted in Ludhiana

Following the major op, the Ludhiana Police on Sunday busted an extortion module linked to Gangster Goldy Brar. The police apprehended 10 operatives in a focused 3-week operation and recovered foreign-made pistols, including 2 Austrian Glock pistols and 10 other sophisticated weapons.

The arrested operatives are involved in illegal arms trafficking, extortion and planned murders aimed at creating lawlessness across the state, officials said. FIRs have been registered under the BNS and Arms Act and further investigation is underway to nab the remaining associates, they said.

227 Smugglers Arrested in Statewide Crackdown

The Punjab Police on Saturday conducted statewide cordon and search operations at 831 identified drug hotspots as part of its ongoing anti-drug campaign and arrested 227 people alleged linked with the illicit operations. As the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign entered its 322nd day, simultaneous operations were carried out across all 28 police districts of the state between 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday, following directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, and the smugglers were apprehended. (With inputs from ANI, PTI)