How Did BSF and Punjab Police Thwart a Cross-Border Smuggling Scheme?
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Key Takeaways
Chandigarh, Jan 29 (NationPress) In a significant achievement, the Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of the Punjab Police in Faridkot, together with the Border Security Force (BSF), successfully intercepted a serious cross-border smuggling operation at the international border in the Fazilka district. They seized 2.1 kg of heroin and 21 advanced pistols along with ammunition, according to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Thursday.
The confiscated firearms and ammunition comprise 11 Glock pistols accompanied by 22 magazines, one Beretta pistol with one magazine, five Zigana pistols along with 10 magazines, three Norinco pistols with five magazines, one Ghaffar Security pistol (MP-5 type) with one magazine, and a total of 310 cartridges (9MM).
DGP Yadav noted that initial investigations suggest that smugglers based in Pakistan attempted to cross the zero line and operated near the border fence, trying to take advantage of nighttime conditions and heavy fog to smuggle arms and drugs into India.
In response, vigilant BSF personnel fired several rounds to thwart the incursion, leading to a comprehensive joint search operation that resulted in the recovery, the DGP mentioned.
Providing details of the operation, Assistant Inspector General Gursewak Singh Brar stated that, acting on credible intelligence, police teams, alongside the BSF, organized a targeted ambush early Thursday. He elaborated that the plan was executed as a covert operation in the vicinity of Teja Ruhela village in Fazilka, where Pakistani smugglers attempted to deliver the shipment. The BSF's prompt response successfully prevented the smuggling attempt.
The operation resulted in a substantial recovery of arms, ammunition, and narcotics from the site, he added.
The Assistant Inspector General also confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify local smugglers and dismantle the entire network.
An FIR has been filed under Section 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act and Section 25 of the Arms Act in Fazilka.
The DGP reaffirmed the Punjab Police's unwavering commitment to maintaining strict surveillance and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against cross-border crimes to ensure the security of the state.