Punjab Police has arrested two persons who, it claimed, were the members of a module that used drones for cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons into India through an international network, including Pakistan-based smugglers with links to pro-Khalistan operatives.
Along with the accused, identified as Lakhbir Singh and Bachittar Singh, the Amritsar (Rural) police has also recovered a quadcopter drone with mini receiver and camera support, a .32 bore revolver, an SUV, cartridges and drugs.
The police said that the accused were arrested through certain leads, with further investigations expected to track their associates, including four drug smugglers currently lodged in Amritsar Jail.
Sharing details, the state Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that one quadcopter drone with a full supporter stand and one SkyDroid T10 2.4GHz 10CH FHSS Transmitter, along with mini receiver and camera support, have been seized.
“During investigations, Lakhbir Singh revealed that he had procured a Quadcopter Drone from Delhi about four months ago and the drone was currently at the residence of his associate Bachittar Singh at Guru Amardas Avenue, Amritsar,” said Gupta.
The DGP said that Lakhbir Singh, from Chak Mishri Khan village in Lopoke police station, who is the main suspect, was nabbed from near Gurudwara Tahla Sahib, Chattiwind police station in Amritsar (Rural) on Monday.
Further investigations, spearheaded by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rana and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nagra, under the supervision of SSP Dhruv Dhaiya, revealed that Lakhbir Singh was in close and frequent contact with four major drug smugglers of Ajnala, who are currently lodged in Amritsar Jail.
A search in the prison led to the recovery of a touch smartphone from the possession of Lakhbir’s associate Surjit Masih, who is a drug smuggler.
The DGP said that the investigations, so far, show that Lakhbir Singh had established an extensive communication network with foreign smugglers and entities, and was in close and frequent contact with a notorious Pakistan-based smuggler namely Chishti.
“Chisthi is also in touch with Pakistan-based Khalistani operatives, and has been responsible for smuggling of significant cross-border consignments into India from Pakistan in the past,” he said.
It was one Simranjit Singh, currently in Amritsar Jail, who persuaded Lakhbir Singh to purchase a drone for cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons, said Gupta adding that Simranjit has also been named as an accused in the case.
“About four months ago, Lakhbir Singh and his associate Gurpinder Singh went to New Delhi, and purchased a heavy duty Quadcopter Drone from TRD Enterprises, Janakpuri, along with SkyDroid T10 2.4GHz 10CH FHSS Transmitter, for Rs four lakhs,” he added.
A case has been registered under Sections 411 and 414 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to stolen property; 25 of the Arms Act; 21 and 23 of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act; and Sections 10, 11, and 12 of the Aircraft Act, 1954, at Gharinda police station against Lakhbir Singh and Bachittar Singh, Gurpinder Singh Khapar Kheri, and unknown persons.