Amritsar:- In a major breakthrough in the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe state, as per the directions of Chief Minister Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted a cross-border arms, drugs and hawala network by arresting six persons, including an Afghan national and two minors. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said here today that the police have recovered 1.035 kg heroin, five modern pistols and drug money worth Rs 5 lakh from the accused.
The arrested accused have been identified as Baz Mohammad (62), an Afghan national who earlier lived in Sonipat, Haryana and had recently moved to Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi; Ankush Barthwal (33), a resident of Guru Angad Dev Colony, Nawanshahr; The accused have been identified as Desh Raj alias Vicky (32), a resident of village Bhattian in Jalandhar; and Rajandeep Singh alias Raja (26), a resident of village Rania in Lopoke, currently residing in Sunny Enclave, Amritsar. The arrested accused also include two minors. The arrested persons, Baz Mohammad, Ankush Barthwal, and Desh Raj alias Vicky, are habitual offenders with prior criminal records. The recovered weapons include three 9mm Glock pistols (Austrian-made), one .30-bore Zigana pistol, one .30-bore pistol, and two live cartridges. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused along with their foreign associates obtained consignment of illegal arms and narcotics through contacts established through various social media platforms and then supplied them on the directions of their foreign handlers. He added that this network was actively working in Majha and Doaba regions. The DGP said that the case is being investigated back and forth to identify other persons involved in the network and to gather more information.
Sharing details about the operation, Amritsar Police Commissioner (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that initially the police teams arrested two minors along with a Glock pistol and two live cartridges. Based on their revelations, 500 grams of heroin and another pistol were also recovered.
He further said that as the investigation progressed, the police teams arrested Baz Mohammad, Ankush Barthwal and Desh Raj alias Vicky and recovered three pistols, 535 grams of heroin and drug money worth Rs 5 lakh from their possession. During further interrogation, another accomplice, Rajandeep Singh alias Raja, was also arrested.
The Police Commissioner said that the investigation revealed that the accused, Ankush Barthwal, had recently returned to India from Uganda, where he was working. An accomplice abroad introduced him to Baz Mohammad. After returning to India, Ankush started smuggling and supplying drugs and arms in collaboration with Baz Mohammad.
In this regard, FIR No. 91 dated 24-05-2026 has been registered at Cantonment Police Station, Amritsar under Sections 25 (6,7,8) of the Arms Act and Sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act.