Hardeep Jamwal, JNM Journalist, Jammu
In a major strike against the network of notorious drug smuggler Gulzar Ahmed, alias Lau Gujjar, the Jammu Police executed a significant operation in Amritsar, Punjab. Two suspects were arrested during this joint operation, and state-of-the-art weapons, a large quantity of heroin, and cash worth lakhs of rupees were recovered from their possession. Following this action, security agencies expect to uncover links to a vast network spanning Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.
According to police sources, one of the arrested accused is a resident of Jammu & Kashmir, while the other hails from Punjab. During the search, an AK-47 rifle, 29 live cartridges, three pistols, approximately two kilograms of heroin, and ₹11 lakh in cash were seized from them. The Punjab Police also assisted the Jammu Police in this operation.
It is noteworthy that some time ago, the Mira Sahib Police had recovered a foreign-made pistol from Lau Gujjar. Since his arrest, the police had been closely monitoring his activities and contacts. The investigation yielded several leads strengthening the suspicion of his potential links to Pakistan-based elements and the intelligence agency ISI.
Given the sensitivity of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the supervision of SP (Headquarters) Anna Sinha. This team is now conducting an in-depth investigation into other individuals linked to the network, financial transactions, the arms supply chain, and cross-border contacts.
According to security agencies, preliminary investigations indicate the presence of an organized network involved in the supply of weapons alongside drug smuggling. Investigators are trying to ascertain the source of the recovered weapons and their intended use.
Sources state that Lau Gujjar’s network extended from Jammu & Kashmir to Punjab. The investigation is also examining aspects such as financial transactions via the hawala route and the cross-border delivery of weapon and narcotics consignments using drones. It is anticipated that the interrogation of the arrested individuals could lead to the emergence of other key names and shocking revelations.
The Jammu Police have previously taken action against various structures linked to Lau Gujjar—based in Waziru Chak—and his family; the arrest of his wife was also part of the investigation into this matter. The recent operation in Amritsar has now provided security agencies with another crucial lead to trace the network back to its roots.
Police officials believe that further arrests are likely in the coming days and that several prominent figures linked to smuggling and arms supply networks active in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab could come under the ambit of the investigation.
