As part of the ongoing decisive war against anti-social elements launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police have arrested two Rajasthan-based weapon smugglers after recovering eight pistols and fake Indian currency from their possession during a Naka Bandi at Abohar-Hanunangarh road in Fazilka, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.
Those arrested have been identified as Banna Ram alias Vinod Devasi and Mukesh alias Muksha Rabari, both resident of village Jaitiyawas in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Fazilka had received information from a reliable source that two persons were trying to smuggle consignment of weapons smuggled from Madhya Pradesh and they are expected to deliver them to members of Arsh Dalla gang in Punjab.
He said that the Police team from SSOC Police Station Fazilka conducted a Special Police Nakabandi in the area of Ramsara village on Abohar-Hanumangarh road Fazilka to lay a trap and successfully arrested both accused persons after recovering seven .32 bore pistols along with two live cartridges and one .315 bore country-made pistol along with two live cartridges from their possession.
The Police teams have also recovered Fake Indian Currency worth Rs 9650 from the possession of both the accused persons, he added.Divulging more details, AIG SSOC Lakhbir Singh said that earlier SSOC Fazilka had arrested their module member Naresh Pandit of Jodhpur rural district.
He disclosed that he was in touch with Arsh Dalla, who is a designated terrorist and were tasked to kidnap a Jodhpur-based prominent business for ransom. The information was shared with Rajasthan Police which led to the bursting of the kidnapping module in district Pali.
Further investigations are on to find out the source of weapons in Madhya Pradesh, he said, adding that the police is investigating the fake Indian currency angle too, he said.Meanwhile, case FIR has been registered under sections 489-A, 489-B, and 489-C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station SSOC Fazilka.