How Did Punjab Police Capture an Army Deserter Near the Nepal Border?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police arrested an Army deserter near the Indo-Nepal border.
- Seized 500 grams of heroin and a hand grenade.
- Chirag, an accomplice, was also arrested with further narcotics.
- Investigations link both men to a grenade attack in Haryana.
- Rajbir had ties with Pakistan-based entities for espionage.
Chandigarh, Dec 20 (NationPress) The Punjab Police’s Special Operations Cell from Mohali has detained an Army deserter known as Rajbir Singh, also referred to as Fauji, in the town of Raxaul, close to the Indo-Nepal border in Motihari, Bihar. He was trying to escape to Nepal when police seized 500 grams of heroin and a hand grenade from him, according to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Saturday.
This arrest follows closely after the capture of his accomplice, Chirag, from Kashi Ram Colony in Fazilka, who had 407 grams of heroin and a 9MM pistol on him.
Chirag acted as a courier for Rajbir, significantly contributing to the drug trafficking operations and serving as a vital link in the narcotics distribution network.
DGP Yadav revealed that Rajbir joined the Indian Army in 2011 but deserted in February 2025 after being implicated in an espionage case under the Official Secrets Act in Amritsar.
Further investigations have connected both men to a conspiracy behind a grenade attack at a Women Police Station in Sirsa, Haryana. The DGP mentioned that they had supplied grenades to Gurjant Singh of Amritsar Rural, who has been apprehended by the Haryana Police. The funds were also funneled through Chirag to support the assailants of the attack.
Assistant Inspector General D Sudarvizhi stated that Rajbir had established contact with entities based in Pakistan through social media in 2022, and instead of receiving heroin supplies, he began leaking sensitive military information and recruiting other Army personnel. Following the case's registration, he fled to Nepal, continuously moving between Punjab and Nepal while maintaining his drug trafficking activities.
Rajbir also indicated that his handlers from Pakistan were orchestrating his escape from India to Europe via Nepal.
After being granted transit remand, he was brought back to Punjab.