The defendant procured a quadcopter drone from Delhi about four months ago, the police said
Amritsar:
Two men were arrested for allegedly members of a module that used drones to smuggle drugs and weapons into India by Pakistani-based smugglers with ties to pro-Khalistani activists, Punjab police said in a statement on Tuesday. A quadcopter drone with a mini receiver and camera support, a .32 bore revolver, an SUV, cartridges and medicines were recovered from the defendant, police added.
Identified as Lakhbir Singh and Bachittar Singh, the defendants were arrested by Amritsar Police (rural).
Police said questioning the defendant revealed her alleged association with four other smugglers detained in Amritsar Prison.
“During the investigation, Lakhbir Singh announced that he had acquired a quadcopter drone from Delhi about four months ago and that the drone was currently in the residence of his colleague Bachittar Singh on Guru Amardas Avenue in Amritsar,” said Punjab police chief Dinkar Singh cited in the statement.
“… Lakhbir Singh has been in close and frequent contact with four large Ajnala drug smugglers who are currently housed in Amritsar Prison. A search in the prison resulted in the recovery of a touch smartphone from the possession of Lakhbir’s employee Surjit Masih, a drug smuggler “, he added.
Police said the defendant Lakhbir Singh has established an extensive communications network with foreign smugglers and is in close and frequent contact with a notorious Pakistani smuggler, Chishti, who is in close contact with pro-Khalistan activists based in Pakistan.
One case was recorded in this regard.
Drones are increasingly being used by smugglers and terrorists in Pakistan to airborne drugs and weapons on Indian territory. In recent years the Indian authorities have intercepted several drones used for this purpose.
The restoration of tunnels and drones along the India-Pakistan border is evidence of the neighboring country’s hostility towards India, Union Minister Nityanand Rai said earlier this month.