Pak smuggler shot, 10-kg heroin seized

Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, February 20

In a joint operation by the Special Task Force (STF), Amritsar, and the Border Security Force (BSF), a Pakistani smuggler was shot dead following an exchange of fire near border out post (BOP) Barreke along the Zero Line in early hours today.

Later during a search, the troops seized 10 packets (1 kg each) of heroin along with one Chinese pistol, two magazines, 17 rounds, two Nokia mobile phones with three Pakistani SIM cards and Rs 110 in Pakistani currency from the deceased smuggler.

Addressing the media, Mukul Goel, Inspector General, BSF, Punjab Frontier, along with RK Jaiswal, IG (STF), said on intervening night of February 19 and 20, a special joint ambush was laid by the BSF and STF near BOP Barreke after noticing some suspicious movement of two Pakistani smugglers ahead of the fencing.

Jaiswal said the smugglers tried to insert a plastic pipe through the fence following which the STF-BSF troops challenged them to surrender, but they did not pay any heed and opened fire on the troops.

Rashpal Singh, AIG (STF), who was leading the operation, said the BSF troops retaliated and shot dead one smuggler, while others managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness, undulating ground and standing wheat crop.

Jaiswal said on searching the area, the troops found the body of a Pakistani smuggler and received huge quantity of heroin, ammunition besides the plastic pipe (10-feet-long, 4-inch diameter), a pair of sleepers, shawls and other items.

Raj Singh DIG (G) BSF, RS Kataria PRO, BSF, BS Rajpurohit, DIG, Ferozepur, besides other officials were present.

BSF nabs Pakistan national in Fazilka

Fazilka: The BSF nabbed a Pakistani national in the Fazilka sector on Tuesday. Sources said jawans of 96 Battalion of the BSF nabbed Mohammad Qasim Ahmed (32), a resident of Dask tehsil in Gujranwala district. He had strayed into the Indian territory near the Mohar Sona border outpost. Nothing incriminating has been recovered from his possession. Sources said Ahmed was mentally unfit and he would be repatriated soon. OC