Jalandhar police arrest 3 associates of gangster Lakhbhir Landa; seize 17 guns

Jalandhar: In an intelligence-led operation, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have busted dreaded gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa’s inter-state weapon smuggling network with the arrest of three men.

They also seized 17 guns and 33 magazines procured through the hawala money.

Giving details, Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma said it was a seven-day-long operation based on tip-off. He said the police had laid a trap to bust the racket as part of which three criminals identified as Khushal, Gurlal and Parvez were nabbed.

Sharma said Khushal is a resident of Ferozepur and seven cases under the Arms Act and for attempt to murder and drug smuggling are pending against him. He said Gurlal and Parvez of Patti are cousins and in their early 20s.

The Commissioner of Police said that during the investigation, it came to light that weapons were supplied by Indore-based youth, Khushal. He said Gurlal’s brother Sharanjit, who is currently in jail, is closely associated with US-based gangsters Gurdev Gill and Lakhbir Singh Landa, who are involved in extortion and terror activities.

Sharma said Landa and Gill are handlers of the gun smuggling racket, adding that Khushal was paid by them through hawala channel to procure country-made small arms.

The Commissioner of Police said the police had seized twelve .32 bore pistols, five .34 bore pistols, 33 magazines and 20 live ammunition.

He said these weapons were seized from different locations in Tarn Taran and Ferozepur districts, adding that these weapons were meant for the associates of Landa in Moga, Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts.