Amritsar, Oct. 3 -- Punjab police busted a cross-border arms and narcotics smuggling network with links to Pakistan, arresting five people, including a juvenile, and seizing 12 sophisticated pistols, all brand new with .30 bore, and 1.5 kg of heroin, DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Thursday.

Those arrested have been identified as Joban Singh (22), Karandeep Singh alias Pandit (19), Ajaypal Singh (18), all residents of Mari Megha village in Tarn Taran; Jashanpreet Singh (18) from Rania village in Amritsar; and a 16-year-old juvenile.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Joban and Jashanpreet were in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers and were coordinating consignments via social media. The weapons were reportedly intended to fuel i...