Chandigarh, March 21 The Punjab Police, in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), foiled a major cross-border smuggling attempt by recovering 6.5 kg of heroin near a border outpost in Mahtam Nagar village in Fazilka on Saturday, officials said.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that Pakistani-based smugglers crossed the zero line and operated close to the border fence. He said that the smugglers attempted to exploit the darkness to push narcotics into Indian territory.
Alert BSF troops fired several rounds to prevent the breach. A subsequent joint search operation led to the recovery of the consignment, the DGP said.
Sharing operational details, Gursewak Singh, Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Counter Intelligence, Ferozepur, said the operation was executed based on reliable inputs. Police teams and the BSF conducted the secret operation in Mahtam Nagar area where Pakistani smugglers tried to push the drugs.
"BSF troops responded promptly and successfully thwarted the attempt," the AIG said, adding that the operation resulted in a substantial recovery of narcotics from the spot.
A case has been registered and further investigation is underway to trace the local smuggler to unravel the entire network, the AIG added.