NIA raids 6 locations in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir in narcotics and weapons case

Mukesh Ranjan
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 7

The anti-terror probe agency, NIA, on Thursday, conducted searches at six different locations in Jammu, and Punjab, in connection with the seizure of about 61 kgs of heroin—worth more than Rs 50 crores—along with arms and ammunitions on September 20, last year, at International Border (IB) in Arnia area of Jammu by Border Security Force (BSF).

NIA officials said, that the agency carried out searches at five locations in Jammu and one in Punjab. The searches were conducted at the residences of accused people, Jasraj Singh, Sham Lal, Bishan Dass, Ajeet Kumar, Gurbaksh Singh and Gurpartap Singh, they added.

“These accused people were arrested for hatching a criminal conspiracy for carrying out anti-national and unlawful activities, and to help the terrorist organisations by collecting funds and channelizing the proceeds of drugs for furthering the activities of such terrorist organisations like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI),” a senior NIA official said, adding that Gurpratap Singh, a resident of Tarn-Taran district in Punjab, is the kingpin of this module.

“Gurpratap Singh had received 10 Kg of heroin from Pakistan based handlers through his associates and the consignment in the instant case was also intended to be received by Gurpratap Singh to fund the activities of BKI in Punjab,” said the official.

During the searches, the NIA sleuths recovered and seized digital devices and other incriminating documents having financial details and accounts numbers, which are being further scrutinised and analysed, said the official.

Originally, the Jammu and Kashmir Police registered the case on September 20, last year, under various sections of Arms Act for unprovoked firing at a police patrolling party from Pakistan side to provide cover for the smuggling activity and later sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act – UAPA were added during the investigation. Later, on November 26, 2020, the NIA took over the case and re-registered and FIR.