AMRITSAR: In a major crackdown on cross-border arms smuggling, security agencies recovered a massive cache of sophisticated weapons near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab’s Amritsar district and arrested one suspect allegedly linked to an international network operating from abroad. Authorities believe the seizure may have prevented a serious threat to national security.
The operation was jointly carried out by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police following intelligence inputs about suspicious activities near the International Border. Security officials intercepted the accused and recovered a large quantity of arms, ammunition and protective equipment from his possession.
Accused Identified And Arrested
The arrested individual has been identified as Rohan Khosla, a resident of Roopnagar Colony in Amritsar. According to preliminary investigations, he was allegedly working under the directions of an associate based in Australia, who reportedly shared weapon drop locations through social media applications.
Police officials suspect that the accused was part of a larger organised network involved in receiving, transporting and distributing weapons smuggled into India through cross-border channels.
Huge Cache Of Sophisticated Weapons Recovered
Security forces recovered an extensive stockpile of weapons and ammunition during the operation. The seized items include:
- One AK-47 assault rifle
- Twenty-five foreign-made pistols
- A total of 26 sophisticated firearms
- Forty-eight magazines
- Three hundred and sixty-eight live cartridges
- One USA-made bulletproof vest
- A vehicle allegedly used for transporting the weapons
Officials stated that several internationally manufactured pistols were part of the seizure, including weapons associated with brands such as Glock, Walther, Zigana, Taurus and Norinco Star Mark.
Drone Smuggling Under Investigation
Investigators believe the weapons were smuggled across the international border using drones, a method increasingly being adopted by cross-border criminal and terror networks. While no drone has been recovered so far, agencies suspect that the consignment was air-dropped at a pre-determined location before being collected by local operatives.
Authorities have intensified surveillance across border districts to identify drone routes and prevent future infiltration attempts. Security agencies are also examining technological methods being used to coordinate such operations.
Bulletproof Vest Raises Security Concerns
Among the recovered items, the presence of a bulletproof vest has particularly alarmed investigators.
Security experts say such protective gear is rarely found in ordinary smuggling cases. Its inclusion indicates that the consignment may have been intended for an operational module rather than simple storage or resale.
Officials believe the weapons may have been destined for sleeper cells or organised criminal-terror networks operating within the region.
International Network Under Scanner
Investigators are now probing the role of overseas handlers suspected of coordinating illegal operations from outside India.
The Australia-based associate allegedly used encrypted communication platforms and social media applications to direct local contacts regarding collection points and distribution channels. Security agencies are working to uncover financial links and identify other individuals connected to the network.
Officials are also investigating whether the module has connections to previously uncovered cross-border smuggling operations in Punjab, where drones have repeatedly been used to transport weapons and narcotics into Indian territory.
Security Agencies Strengthen Border Vigilance
Following the recovery, security forces have increased monitoring across sensitive border areas in Punjab.
The Indo-Pak border has witnessed multiple attempts in recent years involving the smuggling of drugs, weapons and ammunition using advanced techniques and international handlers. Agencies are now focusing on dismantling entire supply chains rather than only intercepting individual consignments.
Officials said the investigation remains active and more arrests are possible as authorities trace the network’s backward and forward linkages.
This massive arms seizure highlights the growing threat of cross-border smuggling networks using advanced methods such as drones and overseas handlers. The recovery of assault weapons, ammunition and protective gear underscores the importance of intelligence-driven operations in safeguarding national security.
The incident also raises concerns about organised criminal and terror networks attempting to destabilise border states, prompting authorities to strengthen surveillance and counter-smuggling measures.
