The AGTF (Anti-Gangster Task Force) team of the Hanumangarh Police, which has been dealing continuous blows to the arms smuggling network, has once again achieved a major success. Just two weeks after recovering a massive consignment of 11 pistols and 22 magazines and apprehending two operatives, the Bambiha gang’s Amritsar-based main arms procurer has been arrested. This operation not only fully exposes the entire chain of arms procurement and trafficking but also plays a pivotal role in averting a potentially major gang war in Punjab, the police said.
Hanumangarh Superintendent of Police Hari Shankar said last evening that as part of a special drive launched against organised crime and gangster networks in the district, the AGTF team has arrested Vishal Kumar —alias ‘Bhaiya’ — an accused wanted in a case under the Arms Act. Vishal hails from Amritsar. About 30 criminal cases are already registered against him, including charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery, dacoity, assault, and violations of the Arms Act. Active in criminal activities for a long time, this individual is believed to be the primary arms supplier for the Bambiha Gang.
The SP said that on March 1, during a police blockade in Hanumangarh, personnel from the Lakhuwali outpost intercepted and apprehended two individuals from Punjab — Amandeep Singh (alias ‘Captain’) and Pavandeep Singh (alias ‘Billa’ or ‘Sunny’) — as they attempted to flee on a bus. The recovery of 11 pistols and 22 magazines from their bags gave a new turn to the entire investigation. Through intensive interrogation, the team led by AGTF incharge, Police Inspector Lakhbir Singh, revealed that all these weapons had, in fact, been procured by Vishal Kumar, alias ‘Bhaiya’, from Madhya Pradesh.
Based on these investigative findings, the police secured a production warrant to bring Vishal from the Ferozepur District Jail and subsequently placed him under arrest. Having obtained his remand from the court, the police are now interrogating him to uncover the entire network involved in the arms trade — including suppliers, financiers and other active members of the Bambiha gang. Police officials believe that Vishal’s arrest will expose a significant portion of the gang’s arms-trafficking racket and enable the prevention of several major future conspiracies