Peddler held with 10-kg heroin along Pak border

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 11

The Border Security Force (BSF) today arrested a drug peddler near Attari along the International Border with Pakistan. During search across the barbed fencing, the authorities confiscated 10 packets containing 10.7 kg of heroin.

Rs18-cr drugs seized

Fazilka: The BSF recovered 3.6-kg heroin, worth Rs18 crore in the international market, in Jalalabad subdivision. Three plastic bottles containing 3.1-kg heroin, 522-gm heroin and 137-gm opium were seized in separate incidents. OC

His accomplice, however, fled the scene taking the advantage of fog.

The arrested suspect was identified as Mandeep Singh of Dhanoe Khurd village. According to information, Mandeep suffered an bullet injury in the left shoulder and tried to flee but was chased down by the BSF men around 700 metre inside the border.

The BSF observed suspicious activity on the Indian side of the border. When challenged, the BSF men heard sounds cocking of weapons and opened fire in self-defence. Mandeep was injured while his accomplice fled holding a bag.

The jawans found footprints of two persons across the fencing, indicating the movement of Pakistan-based smugglers. During search, the BSF found heroin in a white bag.

A BSF official said Mandeep was nabbed in November as well. However, he was released as no recovery was made at that time.

“The probe had then revealed the name of his accomplice as Harjinder Singh but he was yet to be arrested,” he said.

The official said Mandeep, apparently a courier, would be handed over to the police for further interrogation.