Russian-made weapon smuggling baffles cops

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 8

Though the police have launched a manhunt to nab Jaspal Singh, who was absconding following the seizure of 23-kg heroin and weapon in Lopoke area on Wednesday, they claim that this was for the first time that a Russian-made weapon was confiscated, which was smuggled from this side of the international border.

“The caliber of weapons recovered is used by Pakistan-based terrorists,” the police sources said.

The police in a joint operation with the Border Security Force had gunned down a Pak intruder during the wee hours on Wednesday. Besides 22 packets of heroin, it had seized two AK-47 rifles with magazines and rounds of SAIGA-MK (Russian made) rifle with two magazines and 21 live cartridges from the spot.

On Sunday, it seized four sophisticated weapons, including a special AK 47 rifle and an AK 47 rifle besides a China-made pistol and .303gun from near Pul Moran border outpost at the Indo-Pak border.

There has been a surge in the smuggling of narcotics and weapons in the recent past. According to the police, the anti-national elements involved in narco-terror module were hell bent upon sneaking contraband and sophisticated weapons in order to create law and order trouble in the bordering state at the behest of their Pak based handlers.

“As the wheat crop is standing, it acts as a perfect garb to Pak-based smugglers,” said an official privy to the investigations in the recent seizure of weapons.

In yesterday’s seizure, the police had booked Belgium-based Indian national Jagdish Bhura and Jaspal Singh of Gatti Rajoke village

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