AMRITSAR: Sleuths of the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), an internal wing of the Punjab Police, arrested a 25-year-old man after recovering 48 foreign-made pistols from his possession in Amritsar district.
Additional director general police (ADGP), Internal Security, R N Dhoke told journalists that the police intercepted an I-20 car at a check post on Amritsar-Batala road near Kathunangal village on Thursday night and arrested Jagjit Singh, of Purian Kalan in Gurdaspur district.
Dhoke said that the arms recovered from the accused included 19 pistols of 9mm (Made in Turkey) with 37 magazines and 45 rounds; nine China-made pistols of .30 bore with 22 magazines, 19 pistols of .30 bore (Star mark) with 38 magazines and 148 rounds; and one pistol of 9mm (Baretta-Italian) with two magazines which were stashed in two nylon bags.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Jagjit was allegedly in touch with Pakistan-based terrorist groups and pro-Khalistani elements based in the US, Canada and the UK.
Jagjit and was operating on the direction of a US-based handler.
The weapons were meant for carrying out terrorist activities in various parts of India.
However, it was not clear whether they were smuggled from across the border or from other parts of India.
Dhoke said that Jagjit had been directed by Darmanjit Singh alias Darman Kahlon, a former gangster to collect the arms consignment, conceal it and wait for further instructions.
Darmanjit, who hails from Talwandi Khumman village in Amritsar, is presently based in the US The ADGP said that an open-ended warrant of Darmanjot Singh, a proclaimed offender in Punjab, had been obtained.
The ADGP said that a case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code and Arms Act has been registered and further investigation is on.