In a major breakthrough against cross-border organised crime, Chandigarh Police have dismantled a Pakistan-linked narco-terror network operating across Punjab and neighbouring regions, arresting three key suspects during coordinated raids in the border districts of Tarn Taran and Amritsar. The operation also exposed an extensive criminal syndicate involved in the smuggling of narcotics, illegal weapons, and Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), with investigators linking the network to foreign-based handlers and jail-operated criminal operations.

The latest arrests came during the ongoing investigation into the broad daylight murder of a pharmacy cashier in Chandigarh last month. According to police, evidence collected during the investigation led officers to uncover a much larger cross-border criminal network that had been facilitating the movement of drugs, firearms, fake currency and contract killers.

Three Key Accused Arrested

The arrested individuals have been identified as Akash Kumar alias Mani, Sachin Silvester and Gurmeet Singh alias Badshah, all residents of Punjab’s Tarn Taran district. Police officials stated that the trio played significant roles in supporting the syndicate’s logistics and criminal activities.

Authorities have also formally arrested Dharminder Singh alias Goli, who has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the network. Although already lodged in Kapurthala Jail in connection with other criminal cases, investigators say he continued directing operations from prison through associates while acting on instructions from foreign-based handlers. Police are expected to secure his production remand for further questioning.

Major Recovery During Border Raids

The raids resulted in substantial recoveries that underscore the scale of the operation. Police seized:

• Approximately 3.028 kilograms of ICE (Methamphetamine).
• Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of ₹8 lakh.
• Two sophisticated pistols along with magazines.
• Additional evidence believed to be linked to the interstate criminal syndicate.

Investigators believe these recoveries indicate that the network was simultaneously engaged in narcotics trafficking, illegal arms smuggling and counterfeit currency distribution, all of which were allegedly coordinated through cross-border channels. 

Murder Investigation Uncovered Larger Conspiracy

The investigation originated from the June 13 killing of 45-year-old pharmacy cashier Janki Das, who was shot dead by two masked assailants inside a medical store in Chandigarh’s Sector 11. The murder, captured on CCTV cameras, initially appeared to be an isolated contract killing.

However, sustained interrogation of previously arrested suspects enabled investigators to uncover links extending far beyond the murder case. Police allege that Gurmeet Singh alias Badshah provided shelter to the shooters, supplied them with firearms and cash, and helped coordinate their movements before and after the attack.

Officials said the murder investigation ultimately revealed an organised criminal pipeline stretching from foreign handlers to local operatives and interstate criminal associates.

Drone-Based Smuggling Network

Police have described the syndicate as a sophisticated cross-border network exploiting Punjab’s proximity to the international border.

According to investigators, handlers based outside India allegedly used low-flying drones to drop consignments containing narcotics and sophisticated firearms into Indian territory. Local operatives then collected the consignments before distributing them through an organised network.

Authorities stated that encrypted messaging applications were extensively used to coordinate deliveries, avoid surveillance and communicate with gang members. The network allegedly relied on trusted local associates to transport contraband, arrange safe houses and maintain operational secrecy.

Jail-Based Criminal Operations

Investigators claim that Dharminder Singh alias Goli, despite being imprisoned, continued directing the network from inside Kapurthala Jail.

Police said Goli has a lengthy criminal history involving murder, extortion and narcotics-related offences. He allegedly coordinated with foreign handlers and instructed local associates to retrieve drone-delivered consignments, arrange logistics and facilitate criminal operations.

Officials further alleged that the syndicate recruited shooters from Jammu and Kashmir, arranged accommodation, supplied illegal weapons, conducted test-firing of imported firearms and carried out reconnaissance before executing targeted attacks.

The network also allegedly supplied narcotics, fake currency, vehicles and financial assistance to facilitate criminal activities across multiple states.

Wider Organised Crime Links Under Investigation

Police believe the dismantled network represents only one segment of a much broader organised crime syndicate operating across state borders.

Investigators are now working to identify additional associates, trace the origin of the seized narcotics and illegal weapons, examine financial transactions connected to the fake currency network, and establish the full extent of the conspiracy.

Authorities are also probing the network’s suspected involvement in other cases involving extortion, targeted shootings, organised crime and illegal arms trafficking.

Officials emphasised that the investigation remains active, with further arrests expected as evidence continues to emerge regarding the syndicate’s operations and its alleged foreign connections.