BSF man held for 123 kg heroin haul

Fazilka, July 5 

The police today arrested a BSF constable, Harpartap Singh, for allegedly facilitating for a month the smuggling of 123 kg of heroin from Pakistan. Four more arrests have been made in what is being described by the police as the “Pakistan-Mumbai smuggling network”.

Speaking to the media, Paramraj Singh Umranangal, IG, Bathinda Range, and Fazilka SSP Swapan Sharma said 5 kg of heroin, two cars and a Pakistani SIM card had been seized. 

A resident of Jasraon village in Amrtisar, Harpartap was posted at SS Wala in Fazilka. Others arrested are Harbir Singh of Naushehra Dhalla, Nachhatar Singh alias Satta of Hashimpura (both villages in Amritsar) and Buta Singh and Gurbachan Singh alias Bittu of Sidhwan village in Tarn Taran. 

Umranangal said the alleged smuggling gang was formed in April when Harpartap had visited his village. The BSF constable reportedly met Nachhatar, a member of a smuggling module operated by one Kulwinder Singh.  

The IG said Harpartap was allegedly given the task of collecting heroin from Pakistani smugglers at his place of posting, which was surrounded by thick forests. In turn, he was reportedly promised Rs 70,000 for every kg of heroin smuggled.

Umranangal said Harpartap allegedly contacted a Pakistani smuggler, Bhola, who provided him three heroin consignments of 123 kg. While 28 kg was received on May 22, two consignments of 26 kg and 69 kg were smuggled on May 28 and June 12, the IG said.

BSF Deputy Inspector General HS Garcha said Harpartap had been placed under suspension.  — OC