3 November 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : A sharp rise in the recovery of illegal weapons and narcotics along the Amritsar border belt has put security agencies on alert, raising concerns over suspected cross-border smuggling networks operating through drones and local couriers.
According to a report published by The Tribune on November 3, Punjab Police and other agencies have recovered more than 120 pistols, two AK-47 assault rifles, an M16 rifle and five hand grenades in the border belt over the past 33 days. The seizures have highlighted the scale of illegal arms trafficking in the region and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies.
The recoveries have also raised concerns about the possibility of sophisticated weapons reaching criminal networks operating in Punjab. Investigating agencies suspect that cross-border handlers and their local associates are using drones to transport consignments, which are subsequently collected and distributed through local couriers.
More Than 120 Pistols and Military-Grade Weapons Recovered
The recovery of more than 120 pistols in just over a month has drawn particular attention from security agencies. The seizure of two AK-47 rifles, an M16 rifle and five hand grenades has added to concerns about the movement of military-grade weapons through the border region.
The suspected trafficking networks are believed to involve handlers based in Pakistan and local operatives who retrieve consignments dropped by drones. Investigators are examining the possible links between these networks and organised criminal activities.
The availability of sophisticated firearms has also raised questions about their potential use in gang rivalries, targeted attacks and other criminal activities. However, the connection between particular recovered weapons and specific attacks would need to be established through investigations.
Recent Police Operations Lead to Multiple Arrests
In one recent operation, Amritsar Commissionerate Police arrested four people, including two juveniles, and recovered 16 pistols and seven cartridges.
In a separate case, Amritsar Rural Police arrested seven people, including serving Army personnel, and recovered 14 pistols along with 20.130 kg of heroin. The case has drawn attention because of the combination of weapons and narcotics recovered during the investigation.
On Sunday, Amritsar Rural Police arrested four more people in separate incidents and seized five pistols.
The Gharinda police arrested Amritpal Singh of Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran and Harpartap Singh of Chavinda village. Meanwhile, the Rajasansi police arrested Jagdev Singh of Ballia village and Akashdeep Singh of Rane Kale village. Police also recovered three pistols and a combined 273 grams of heroin in these incidents.
Heroin, Pistol and Damaged Drone Found in Border Village
In another incident, Gharinda police recovered 550 grams of heroin, a pistol and a damaged drone from Rorawala Kalan, a border village in Amritsar district.
The Border Security Force also recovered a pistol near the Rania border outpost. These incidents underline the continuing challenge of preventing illegal consignments from entering Indian territory through the international border.
Drones have emerged as an important method used by suspected smugglers to move narcotics, weapons and ammunition across the border. Security agencies have been conducting operations to detect drone activity and identify people involved in retrieving and transporting such consignments.
Earlier Seizures Highlight the Scale of the Problem
The latest recoveries come amid several major operations reported in the Amritsar border region during recent months.
On October 16, the Counter Intelligence wing in Amritsar arrested five people and recovered 13 foreign-made pistols, two hand grenades and an assault rifle. Police said preliminary investigation indicated that the accused were allegedly in contact with a foreign-based smuggler and were involved in retrieving drone-dropped consignments.
Earlier, on October 4, Punjab Police arrested a truck driver and recovered an AK-47 rifle, nine cartridges and two hand grenades. Investigators said the accused was allegedly connected to foreign-based smugglers.
The Border Security Force has also reported a substantial increase in narcotics recoveries. According to figures published in October, more than 850 kg of heroin had been seized along the Punjab frontier during the first nine months of 2026, compared with 415 kg during the whole of 2025.
Security Agencies Face a Continuing Challenge
The repeated recovery of weapons, explosives and narcotics has increased the pressure on Punjab Police and the BSF to strengthen surveillance and coordination in the border belt.
Investigations are focusing on identifying the handlers operating from across the border, locating local receivers and tracing the onward distribution networks. Establishing links between different seizures is also important for understanding whether the consignments are connected to larger organised networks.
For Amritsar and neighbouring border districts, the challenge is not limited to stopping individual consignments. Security agencies must also identify the people and communication channels coordinating the movement of illegal material.
The latest seizures have once again brought attention to the security challenges along the India-Pakistan border, where drone-based smuggling remains a significant concern for law enforcement agencies.