New Delhi: Intelligence agencies have flagged a worrying trend of increased smuggling of arms and ammunition into Punjab, allegedly backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Officials say the strategy appears to be shifting from direct terror strikes to funding extremist activities through organised criminal networks.
According to senior officials, recent investigations suggest that many of the weapons consignments entering the state are meant to support large-scale extortion rackets. These operations are reportedly being carried out by local gangster networks tasked with raising funds that could later be channelled into reviving extremist elements in Punjab and supporting terror modules in Jammu and Kashmir.
An Intelligence Bureau (IB) official said the ISI is attempting to reinvigorate separatist networks but is facing difficulties in recruiting directly. Instead, vulnerable youth, especially those battling drug addiction, are allegedly being targeted with financial incentives. Gangster groups have reportedly been asked to identify such individuals and draw them into criminal and extremist activities.
Officials further indicated that the extortion network may expand beyond Punjab, with wealthy individuals in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi believed to be potential targets. The funds raised through such rackets could amount to crores of rupees and are suspected to be diverted towards extremist operations.
Security agencies have noted that recent arms seizures by Punjab Police include foreign-made weapons such as AK-series rifles, Beretta pistols, and Glock handguns. While some consignments have also contained narcotics, officials observe that the larger volume of arms and ammunition points to a deliberate push to arm criminal networks involved in extortion and the illegal arms trade.
On the intervening night of January 27 and 28, security forces intercepted a major arms consignment allegedly pushed across the Indo-Pak border in Fazilka. The interception followed specific intelligence inputs from the Counterintelligence Wing of the Punjab Police. Agencies say drones are increasingly being used to drop weapons and ammunition along border areas.
Apart from Fazilka, drone-based drops have also been reported in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Pathankot. Officials added that riverine routes are also being exploited to smuggle arms into Indian territory, making detection more challenging.
Intelligence officials believe these developments are part of a broader attempt to revive extremist sentiment in Punjab. While direct radicalisation efforts have reportedly seen limited success, agencies say there is a subtle push underway through symbolic acts and attempts to influence public perception.
In a recent incident, a Khalistan flag was found at the Golden Temple complex. Intelligence agencies described it as an attempt to test reactions and create symbolic visibility. Officials caution that similar incidents could follow as part of a strategy to keep the issue alive in public discourse.
Security agencies remain on high alert and are coordinating closely with state police forces to dismantle smuggling networks, track financial flows, and prevent vulnerable youth from being drawn into criminal or extremist activities.