Gataru Gang leaders among those arrested; five pistols, a country-made weapon, heroin and ammunition recovered
Samba, November 13: Samba Police have busted an alleged inter-state narcotics and illegal arms syndicate operating across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, arresting 10 persons, including key members of the Gataru Gang.
The operation was carried out by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by SSP Samba in connection with FIR No. 146/2026 registered at Police Station Vijaypur under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Arms Act.
The investigation began on August 22, 2026, when police intercepted a Swift car at AIIMS Naka, Vijaypur. During checking, approximately 9.08 grams of heroin-like substance and a pistol were allegedly recovered from the driver, identified as Sourab Baloria, a resident of Vijaypur.
During questioning, Baloria allegedly disclosed his links with the Gataru Gang, reportedly headed by brothers Sourav Gupta and Gaurav Gupta. Further investigation uncovered the alleged involvement of several associates and facilitators based in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
Police identified the accused as Vivek Kumar, Manmohit Singh, Sahib Singh, Vikram Bhardwaj alias Vicky Star and Jagdeep Kaur, among others. Investigators alleged that the network facilitated the procurement, transportation and supply of narcotics and illegal weapons while providing logistical and financial support to gang members.
During subsequent searches, police recovered two country-made pistols, five live 9mm cartridges and 8.37 grams of heroin-like substance from Vivek Kumar.
The financial investigation also reportedly revealed transactions exceeding Rs 1 crore between the gang leaders and other members of the network.
In a major inter-state operation, Samba Police, with assistance from Uttar Pradesh Police, arrested alleged gang leaders Sourav Gupta and Gaurav Gupta, along with their associate Rohit Baloria, from Meerut.
Police further stated that the accused had allegedly taken shelter at the residence of Mohd Maaz in Meerut, whose suspected role in providing assistance to the accused is also being investigated.
Following further disclosures, police recovered two additional pistols, 12 live 9mm cartridges, one country-made weapon, 23 grams of gunpowder, 113 pellets, four pellet caps and approximately 10.21 grams of heroin from an area behind AIIMS Vijaypur near the Devak River.
Investigators have also identified leads suggesting possible weapon procurement through intermediaries connected with the Punjab-Haryana-based Ghanashyampuria gang.
According to Samba Police, the total recovery includes five pistols, one country-made weapon, 27.66 grams of heroin, 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 23 grams of gunpowder, 113 pellets and four pellet caps.
The SIT is continuing its investigation to identify additional suspects, trace financial channels and dismantle the wider inter-state criminal network.
