Ludhiana (Punjab) [India], April 22 (ANI): The counter-intelligence (CI) unit of the Punjab Police on Tuesday busted an illegal weapon smuggling module with one arrest and recovered five illegal pistols.

'Acting on a specific tip-off, Counter Intelligence Amritsar successfully uncovered an illegal weapon smuggling module with links extending to the United States and apprehends Gurwinder Singh alias Guri from Ludhiana and recovers 5 illegal pistols from his possession. He was acting under the directions of Gurlal Singh and Vipul Sharma--both currently residing in the #USA--who are key handlers in this network,' the DGP Punjab Police posted on X.

The police said that Gurwinder Singh is the brother-in-law of Hardeep Singh, a known drug smuggler who fled to the USA in 2022 after being arrested in a 2020 STF case.

'Preliminary investigation reveals Gurwinder Singh is the brother-in-law of Hardeep Singh, a known drug smuggler who fled to the USA in 2022 after being arrested in a 2020 STF case. Gurlal and Hardeep appear to have formed an alliance abroad and are operating a transnational weapon smuggling ring using local associates in Punjab,' they added.

The police further stated that an FIR has been registered at the Punjab Police's State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.

'Further investigation is being carried out to identify all backward and forward linkages. Punjab Police remains committed to maintain peace and harmony in the state,' the Punjab Police said.

Earlier today, a miscreant was injured during an encounter with police in Punjab's Tarn Taran, a police officer said, following which he was sent to a local hospital for treatment.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Detective Ajay Raj Singh told ANI that they received information that some miscreants were on their way towards Tarn Taran from Amritsar Rural, and 'they have weapons'

'They have supplied weapons earlier, and today too, they were on their way to supply weapons. Their names are Sukhdev Singh and Sarban Kumar. They had two weapons. When the police stopped them, they attacked the police. They fired three rounds, and police fired two rounds. Sukhdev Singh has been injured in the incident,' he said. (ANI)