BSF ropes in locals to tackle smuggling

Tribune News Service

GS Paul

Amritsar, April 20

In a step towards tackling smuggling of arms and narcotics from across the fencing, the Border Security Force (BSF) has sought the assistance of locals residing along the International Border.

The BSF would offer Rs 1 lakh to a person who would inform them about the details of peddlers indulging in smuggling of contraband and arms from Pakistan by using drones. The reward would be given if the information leads to the arrest of the involved person along with the seizure of drone. The BSF has also released two numbers to share the details and identity of the informer would be kept secret.

Asif Jalal, Inspector General, BSF (Punjab Frontier) said, “Border belt-based villagers can provide inputs about the operation of hostile drones in their respective areas.” “The drones are coming regularly from the other side of the border to drop narcotics and arms in connivance with people from this side of the fence. We have caught them on many occasions. Locals know who are involved in such notorious activities and we encourage them to share the information with us,” he said.

Punjab shares around 553 kms of the International Border with Pakistan comprising Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Fazilka. Despite the fact that most of the border has been fenced and flood-lit, the riverine stretches along the course of Ravi and Sutlej makes it vulnerable and a dauting task to guard.

Ironically, the highest number of drone sightings and smuggling of arms and narcotics has been reported along the Punjab border only.

According to sources, of the 100 odd drone sightings in 2021 among the states sharing the border with Pakistan, at least 66 were spotted in areas falling under the jurisdiction of Punjab Frontier only. This was followed by 24 in Jammu Frontier, six in Rajasthan Frontier and a couple of cases were reported in Gujarat Frontier and Kashmir Frontier.

Around 80 per cent narcotics seizures were made from Punjab along the western border in 2021. Of the total of 599.220 kg of heroin recovery, 485.165 kg was recovered from Punjab, followed by 57.670 kg in Rajasthan and 37.935 kg in Jammu.

Punjab had also topped in the number of arms being recovered as well. The BSF had seized 54 weapons, including AK series rifles and pistols along with 3,322 rounds of ammunition, followed by 17 weapons and 1,170 rounds in Jammu.

Peddler held with 2 drones, pistol

• The Amritsar police have arrested a notorious drug peddler involved in cross-border smuggling by using drones
• The accused has been identified as Jagjit Singh, alias Jaggi, who hails from Havelian village in Tarn Taran
• Cops recovered two drones, a .30 bore pistol, two magazines and eight live bullets bike from his possession

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