Two Punjab men arrested with Turkish pistols near P D Mello Road in South Mumbai

The Mumbai City Crime Branch has arrested two men from Punjab and seized a cache of illegal Turkish-made pistols, 50 live cartridges, and extra magazines during a trap operation near P D Mello Road in South Mumbai. The suspects, identified as Ranjeet Singh, 36, and Amrut Pal Singh, 23, had traveled to Mumbai to supply the foreign-origin weapons to a local gang. Investigators are currently probing possible links between the accused and the Lawrence Bishnoi crime syndicate.

According to police sources, the duo was caught during a targeted trap operation while they were attempting to sell the Turkish-made pistols. Upon apprehending the suspects, police officers recovered the illegal firearms along with 50 live cartridges and extra ammunition magazines from their possession. The city crime branch conducted the operation after receiving information about the illegal weapons deal.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Raj Tilak Roshan stated that a preliminary investigation into the backgrounds of the accused has already revealed that one of the men has a prior criminal record. Specifically, one of the suspects has a previous case registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Following the arrest, the police registered offences against both Ranjeet Singh and Amrut Pal Singh under the relevant provisions of the Arms Act.

The investigation has now been handed over to the Anti Extortion Cell for a deeper probe. Deputy Commissioner Roshan confirmed that the specialized unit has been asked to investigate the broader conspiracy behind the weapon smuggling. The Anti Extortion Cell will focus on determining why the duo brought the weapons to Mumbai, identifying the local gang members who were likely to purchase them, and probing whether they are connected to the Lawrence Bishnoi crime syndicate.