Magnets used to smuggle arms, contraband through Lahore train

Tarn Taran, Dec 24 (UNI) In a novel modus operandi, smugglers are now using magnets under the trains coming from Pakistan to smuggle arms, ammunition and drugs.

SSP P K Rai told mediapersons here today that police last night nabbed a four-member gang here with five mouser guns and as many magazines, who on interrogation revealed that they had retrieved the contraband from under the goods train which had come from Lahore a day before.

The arrested terrorists, identified as Kuldip Singh a resident of Patti and other local lads Shamsher, Satnam Singh and Manoj Kumar were nabbed after a tip-off.

Ring leader Kuldeep revealed that he had come into contact with some ISI operators during his visit to Pakistan last year with a Vaishakhi Jatha. They convinced him to join them and explained the new modus operandi for smuggling arms and other contraband.

Earlier, the contraband was smuggled by hiding it inside the seats or in the cavities under the train, the SSP said.

Mr Rai said that according to Kuldeep, he recruited the other three locals in the last few months and five consignments had been sent to them from across the border.

These included fake currency worth Rs 25 lakh and three consignments of heroin, in total weighing 12 kg.

While other consignments were removed by them from under the trains and dispatched for Delhi, one consignment, of heroin weighing six kg, was lost as the magnet probably could not hold the weight, Kuldeep had revealed.

They used to dress up like Railway employees to gain access, the SSP said.

UNI