4 with Pak links held in Mohali, illegal firearms, drugs seized

According to police, genuine Turkish-made pistols are allegedly smuggled into Punjab through drone drops from Pakistan or cargo routes via Nepal. Domestically assembled copies, meanwhile, are sourced from Madhya Pradesh and circulated at lower costs

In a major bust, Mohali police arrested four members of an alleged cross-border drugs and illegal weapons network with six firearms, including a banned Turkish-made Zigana pistol, 100g of heroin and ₹1-lakh drug money.

Police personnel with the recoveries in Mohali on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

According to information, police had set up a checkpoint in Kharar on Saturday following a tip-off. The accused were allegedly travelling in a Creta to supply drugs and illegal weapons across Mohali when a CIA team intercepted them and recovered the contraband.

Besides the Zigana pistol, police also recovered two .32-bore pistols and two .315-bore pistols.

The Zigana, a semi-automatic firearm known for its concealability and magazine capacity of 15 to 17 rounds, is banned in India. According to police, genuine Turkish-made pistols are allegedly smuggled into Punjab through drone drops from Pakistan or cargo routes via Nepal. Domestically assembled copies, meanwhile, are sourced from Madhya Pradesh and circulated at lower costs.

The accused have been identified as Manpreet Singh, 23, of Guruharsahai; Sunil alias Sunny, 26, of Kamalwala; Gurpreet Singh alias Guri, 24, of Isa Panj Graian, Guruharsahai; and Sukhchain Singh alias Sukha, 23, of Gaddu Khilcha. All four hail from Ferozepur district.

Police said the four had no previous criminal record and were allegedly being used by organised gangs to distribute drugs and weapons in the tricity area. They have been sent to four-day police custody.

A case has been registered under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and relevant provisions of the Arms Act at Kharar City police station.