Jammu: Criminals and gangsters are increasingly using firearms brought from neighboring Punjab, particularly pistols, for committing crimes in Jammu.
These pistols are being sourced from states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, and are reaching Punjab where they are sold to Jammu’s criminals and gangsters.
As per reports police have arrested several criminals with firearms, most of which were brought from Punjab. The criminals in Jammu are using a range of weapons, including 9mm pistols, country-made firearms, and 12-bore guns, to carry out various criminal activities.
Sources reveal that criminals frequently travel between Punjab and Jammu. They not only buy weapons from Punjab but also use local criminals from Punjab to carry out their crimes in Jammu, paying large sums of money in return. Weapons are being bought at varying prices, depending on the type.
In the past two years, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have recovered over 70 pistols, most of which were manufactured in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, around 1,300 weapons were recovered in Punjab in the last two years, also primarily from Madhya Pradesh. Foreign-made pistols can fetch up to ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2 lakh, which is why criminals are opting to use them.
Case 1:
In January 2025, notorious criminal Panku Raja, a resident of Kotli Miyan Fateh in Miran Sahib, was arrested. A 9mm pistol was recovered from him, and it was found that the weapon had been brought from Punjab.
Case 2:
In December 2023, Vivek Singh, a notorious criminal from Samba, was arrested with a country-made pistol and a 12-bore gun. It was revealed during the investigation that he had obtained the firearms from his criminal associates in Punjab.
Case 3:
In December 2024, Jaswinder Singh and Jarnail Singh, both from Chatha Jammu, were arrested near Ring Road Bishnah. The police seized weapons from them, and during interrogation, they admitted to bringing the firearms from Punjab. Both were involved in heroin smuggling and kept weapons for intimidation.
Case 4:
In August 2024, the Samba police arrested notorious criminal Mohammad Latif near Basantar Bridge. A pistol was recovered from him, and it was discovered that he had obtained it from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. Latif has several cases of attempted murder registered against him.
Case 5:
In January 2025, a pistol sourced from Punjab was used in the murder of Sumit Jandyal (alias Gatrroo) in Jammu’s Jewel area. Sources reveal that Abu Jatt, a member of the feared Khawf Gang currently incarcerated, provided the weapons to the assailants. However, no pistols have been recovered so far.
