Amritsar: The Punjab Police have achieved a significant breakthrough in their efforts to combat terrorism and crime in the state. In a series of operations, the police have busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module, an international arms smuggling ring, and a narco-hawala cartel.

The Amritsar Commissionerate Police arrested one local operative, Onkar Singh, and recovered six sophisticated pistols, including four Glock 9MM and two PX5 (.30 bore). The module was allegedly operated by UK-based handler Dharam Singh, a close associate of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Rinda.

The Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has its roots in the 1920 Babbar Akali Movement. However, its current form emerged after the 1978 clashes between the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Nirankaris. The outfit gained momentum following the killing of Nirankari chief Gurbachan Singh in 1980 and subsequently targeted those sympathetic to the Nirankaris. The BKI wants an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.

In a separate operation, the Amritsar Rural Police busted an international arms smuggling ring linked to Italy-based Gurpreet Singh alias Gopy. Four operatives were arrested, and nine illegal weapons were recovered during the intelligence-led raid. The ring was allegedly working in close coordination with Pakistan-based smugglers.

The Amritsar Commissionerate Police also unearthed a narco-hawala cartel reportedly led by jailed gangster Arshdeep, currently lodged in Goindwal Jail. Six operatives were arrested, and 4.526 kg of heroin along with Rs 8.7 lakh in cash were seized. The cartel was actively involved in the retrieval and distribution of cross-border drug consignments across Punjab.

Investigations are ongoing to uncover wider networks and identify foreign handlers involved in these operations.

With inputs from ANI