Cross-border Arms push and Airport drug smuggling bid foiled in joint crackdown

Security agencies on Thursday reported two major successes against drug and arms smuggling with separate operations at the India-Pakistan border in Punjab’s Fazilka district and at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi, leading to the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics and weapons.

In Punjab, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police foiled a major cross-border smuggling attempt near Teja Rahela village in Fazilka district. The operation was carried out by the Counter-Intelligence unit of Punjab Police in Faridkot in close coordination with BSF personnel deployed along the International Border.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said Pakistan-based smugglers attempted to push a consignment of arms and narcotics into Indian territory under the cover of dense fog and night conditions.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the smugglers, operating near the zero line, took advantage of foggy weather and darkness to push arms and narcotics into Indian territory,” the DGP said in a post on X.

BSF troops, who were on high alert, opened fire to prevent the breach. This was followed by a joint search operation in the border area, leading to the recovery of a large consignment of weapons and drugs.

Security forces recovered one Ghaffar security pistol, 20 other pistols , 39 magazines , and 310 rounds of ammunition . Two backpacks containing 2.160 kilograms of heroin were also seized from the spot. The smugglers reportedly retreated back across the border after the firing. No arrests have been made so far, and further investigation is underway to identify the network involved.

Meanwhile, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, Customs officials arrested an Indian passenger for attempting to smuggle a large quantity of marijuana into the country from Bangkok .

According to an official statement, the passenger arrived at Terminal 3 on January 26 and was intercepted on the basis of spot profiling. He was diverted at the green channel for X-ray screening of his baggage, followed by a detailed physical examination.

During the search, Customs officers recovered nine one-sided black and one-sided transparent polybags containing multiple layers of vacuum-sealed packets concealed inside a green-coloured handbag.

“On diagnostic testing, the recovered substance prima facie tested positive for ganja/marijuana . The value of the seized contraband is approximately ₹9.83 crore ,” the statement said.

The passenger was arrested on January 26, and the narcotic substance along with the concealing material was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Officials said both incidents highlight continuing attempts by smugglers to exploit land borders and international air routes to traffic narcotics and weapons into India. Security agencies have intensified surveillance and coordination along the International Border and at major airports to counter such activities.

Further investigations are underway in both cases to trace the larger smuggling syndicates and identify their local and international links.