BSF, STF seize 15kg heroin in Amritsar, Tarn Taran
A day after the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 9kg of heroin from Khalra border outpost in Tarn Taran, it seized 11kg of contraband along the Indo-Pak border at Ramkot border outpost in Amritsar sector on Wednesday night.
Another 4kg of the contraband buried in a field was recovered by a joint team of the BSF and special task force (STF) at Mutheyanwali village of Tarn Taran district.
In Amritsar, the contraband was found in a PVC pipe pushed into the India-Pakistan barbed fence, said officials.
Before seizing the contraband, troops of the 88 Battalion opened fire on Pakistani smugglers, who managed to flee.
“At around 2.15 am in the area under Ramkot outpost, personnel observed suspicious movement across the international border,” BSF deputy inspector general (DIG) JS Oberoi said. BSF personnel initially thought the movement to be an animal, but soon observed shadow of a man, he added.
“The BSF men then observed that one or two Pakistani smugglers were trying to insert a plastic pipe into the fence to push the contraband consignment into Indian territory,” he said.
“To stop the smugglers, troops opened fire towards the Pakistan side but the men managed to escape, taking advantage of the fully-grown wheat crop and the dark. After the firing, BSF men searched the area thoroughly and found a plastic pipe containing 11 packets of heroin,” the DIG said.
“The weight of the seized contraband is over 11kg,” he said.
The DIG said soon after recovering the contraband, a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers was conducted.
“We have given evidence, including foot marks of the smugglers, to the Pakistan Rangers. Footmarks of entry and exit clearly indicate that the men tried smuggle contraband into the Indian territory. The rangers assured that they will help investigate the matter,” a BSF official said.
Oberoi said Pakistani smugglers often take advantage of the fully gown wheat crop as it gives them cover and they can easily escape by taking the advantage of it.
“After harvesting of the wheat crop, it will become difficult for the smugglers to roam near the fencing. But now, it is relatively easy for them to approach the barbed fence,” he said.
JOINT OP IN TARN TARAN
A joint team of the Punjab Police special task force and BSF recovered 4kg heroin buried in a field along the India-Pakistan border at Mutheyanwali village of Tarn Taran district on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, STF’s assistant inspector general (AIG) Rashpal Singh said that acting on a tip-off that one Balwinder Singh had received heroin from Pakistani smugglers and the contraband was concealed in the field of Vajir Singh across the Indo-Pak fencing in Tarn Taran district.
During the search, four packets of heroin were recovered from the field ahead of the fence. The STF official said Balwinder and his associates used to supply heroin to other states.
A case under Sections 18-2161-85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act has been registered at state special operation cell police station in Amritsar against Balwinder and his unidentified aides.
The role of Vajir Singh was being investigated.