In a major breakthrough against trans-border narcotic smuggling networks amidst the ongoing war against drugs launched on the directions of Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police in a joint operation with Central Agencies and Border Security Force (BSF) have arrested an Army Personnel and his aide after recovering 29 packets of heroin, weighing 31.02Kg, from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.
The 26-years-old Army Personnel, posted as Sepoy in Pathankot, was arrested along with his aide Paramjeet Singh alias Pamma of Village Mahalam in Fazilka. Apart from recovering heroin, the Police have also recovered the Hyundai Verna car (UP 80 CD 0023) and two mobile phones from their possession.
In a well-coordinated operation with Central Agencies and BSF, DGP Gaurav Yadav said, Fazilka Police led by SSP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu launched a cordon and search operation in the area of Sadar Fazilka. "On checking of the Verna car, one of the occupants showed an Indian Army ID card, and when Police insisted for checking the vehicle they managed to flee in the car," he said, adding that the Police teams immediately strengthened all the Naka points and managed to trace them at Gaaganke-Shamsabad road Nakabandi.
He said that on checking the vehicle, the Police teams have recovered 29 packets of Heroin from the car.The DGP reiterated that Punjab Police is committed to root out drug menace from the state as per the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
DIG Ferozepur range Ranjit Singh Dhillon said that during preliminary investigation it has come to fore that both the accused persons were escaping the border district after retrieving consignment of drugs pushed by Pakistan-based smugglers through border fencing with the help of a pipe. Further investigations are on, he said.
Meanwhile, a case FIR no. 7 Dated 07.01.2023 has been registered under sections 21-C, 23 and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Sadar Fazilka.