Punjab Police seize 30 kg heroin, bust cross-border drug module in Fazilka
Synopsis
In a single day, Punjab Police scored two major security wins: a 30.200 kg heroin bust near the Pakistan border in Fazilka, and the arrest of a third suspect in the Batala grenade attack — one allegedly tied to an ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International module operating out of Portugal. The dual strikes expose the deepening nexus between cross-border drug trafficking and terror networks in Punjab.
Key Takeaways
Punjab Police and BSF jointly seized 30.200 kg of heroin near Satirwala village, Fazilka on 8 August .
Arrested: Sukhwinder Singh and Manpreet Singh , both residents of Fazilka .
Third accused in the Batala grenade attack (1 August) — Karanjit Singh of Batala town — also apprehended.
Preliminary probe links Karanjit Singh to an alleged ISI-backed terror module run by a Portugal-based BKI operative.
DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed further investigation is underway to identify foreign handlers and local networks in both cases.
Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence unit in Ferozepur, in a joint operation with the Border Security Force (BSF), has dismantled a major cross-border narcotics smuggling network, arresting two individuals and recovering 30.200 kg of heroin near Satirwala village in Fazilka, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed on Saturday, 8 August. The operation marks one of the larger single-haul drug seizures along Punjab's border belt this year.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on a specific tip-off, Counter Intelligence Ferozepur and BSF Fazilka launched a coordinated intercept near Satirwala village. Two suspects travelling on a motorcycle were apprehended, and 30.200 kg of heroin was recovered from their possession.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh and Manpreet Singh, both residents of Fazilka. Assistant Inspector General (Ferozepur) Gursewak Singh said investigators are now working to map the full cross-border supply chain and identify handlers operating from across the border.
Batala Grenade Attack: Third Accused Nabbed
In a separate but significant development, Counter Intelligence Jalandhar, in a joint operation with Batala Police, apprehended the third accused linked to the grenade attack on Police Post Urban Estate in Batala, which occurred on 1 August.
The arrested accused has been identified as Karanjit Singh, a resident of Batala town. He follows the earlier arrests of Rajan, alias Gullu, and a juvenile in connection with the same attack.
ISI-Backed Terror Module Alleged
Preliminary investigation has revealed that Karanjit Singh is allegedly an operative of an ISI-backed terror module, reportedly operated by a Portugal-based mastermind linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), according to DGP Yadav. Following the attack, the accused had reportedly gone into hiding and was allegedly planning similar strikes on police establishments across Punjab.
Police teams used a combination of technical and human intelligence to track and arrest him. DGP Yadav said further investigation is underway to identify foreign handlers and local support networks involved in the module.
The Broader Security Context
The twin developments underscore the sustained pressure on Punjab's security apparatus from both narcotics trafficking and terror networks operating along the Pakistan border. This comes amid repeated warnings from central and state agencies about the convergence of drug smuggling and terror financing routes through the state's border districts. The Fazilka belt, in particular, has seen a string of cross-border seizures in recent months.
Investigators are expected to pursue leads connecting the drug haul and the Batala attack to determine whether overlapping networks are at play.
Point of View
With its alleged ISI-BKI thread running to Portugal, is the more consequential story. Punjab's border districts are increasingly the theatre where narco-trafficking and terror financing converge, and the state's counter-intelligence units appear to be operating with sharper real-time intelligence than in previous years. The unresolved question is structural: how many such modules are active, and whether the foreign handlers can be reached through diplomatic or legal channels before they activate replacements.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was recovered in the Punjab Police drug bust on 8 August?
Punjab Police and BSF jointly recovered 30.200 kg of heroin from two suspects near Satirwala village in Fazilka. The accused, Sukhwinder Singh and Manpreet Singh, were intercepted while travelling on a motorcycle.
Who is Karanjit Singh and why was he arrested?
Karanjit Singh is a resident of Batala town arrested as the third accused in the grenade attack on Police Post Urban Estate in Batala on 1 August. Preliminary investigation allegedly links him to an ISI-backed terror module run by a Portugal-based Babbar Khalsa International operative.
What was the Batala grenade attack?
A grenade attack targeted the Police Post Urban Estate in Batala on 1 August. Two accused — Rajan, alias Gullu, and a juvenile — were arrested earlier, with Karanjit Singh now identified as the third suspect.
Who confirmed the operations and what is the current status of investigations?
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed both operations. Investigations in both cases are ongoing, with police working to identify cross-border handlers, foreign operatives, and local support networks.
Why is the Fazilka border area a recurring hotspot for drug seizures?
Fazilka lies along Punjab's border with Pakistan and has repeatedly featured in cross-border narcotics trafficking cases. Security agencies have flagged the area as a key corridor for heroin smuggling, often linked to the same networks that facilitate weapons and terror-related activity.
