🔴 Six Held in Punjab for Alleged Links to Pakistan-Backed Drug Cartel; Army Man, Dismissed Cop Among Accused

Faridkot, Punjab — In a major anti-narcotics breakthrough, police in Faridkot have busted an alleged Pakistan-backed heroin trafficking network following a two-month-long intelligence operation conducted from inside a jail, officials said.

According to the Director General of Police (DGP), the operation led to the arrest of six accused, including one serving Army personnel and one dismissed police official, and the recovery of a significant quantity of narcotics and other materials.

🚨 The Breakthrough

Punjab Police stated that the crackdown was the result of a two-month-long jail-based interception, during which investigators monitored communications and tracked links between incarcerated individuals and external operatives.

“In a breakthrough, Faridkot Police, after a two-month-long jail-based interception, busts a well-organised heroin trafficking network, apprehends six accused, including one Army personnel and one dismissed police personnel, and recovers 4.8 kilograms of heroin, one weapon, and a Thar and an XUV,” the DGP said in an official statement.

📦 What Was Recovered

During the operation, police recovered:

• 4.8 kilograms of heroin

• One firearm (weapon)

• Two vehicles — a Mahindra Thar and a Mahindra XUV, allegedly used for transporting narcotics

Officials said the seized heroin is estimated to be worth crores of rupees in the international market.

🕵️‍♂️ Modus Operandi

Preliminary investigations suggest that the network:

• Was allegedly operating with cross-border links to Pakistan-based handlers

• Used encrypted communication and intermediaries to coordinate deliveries

• Relied on local couriers and vehicles to distribute heroin across districts

Police sources indicated that the jail-based interception helped uncover communication between a jailed suspect and outside operatives, eventually leading to the identification of the broader network.

👮 Accused Profile

Among those arrested:

• A serving Army personnel, whose exact role is under investigation

• A dismissed police official, allegedly using his previous knowledge of law enforcement systems to assist the network

• Four other individuals suspected of facilitating transport and distribution

Authorities are verifying whether the accused had direct cross-border contact or were working through intermediaries.

⚖️ Legal Action

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, along with provisions related to illegal possession of arms.

Police said further arrests are possible as interrogation continues.

🌍 Cross-Border Drug Concerns

Punjab has long faced challenges related to cross-border narcotics trafficking due to its proximity to the international border. Officials reiterated that drug networks backed by external elements pose a serious threat to internal security and public health.

The involvement of individuals linked to security forces has raised additional concerns, prompting internal reviews by respective departments.

📌 Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are now:

• Tracking financial transactions linked to the accused

• Probing possible additional supply routes

• Coordinating with central intelligence agencies

The DGP emphasized that the crackdown reflects the state police’s zero-tolerance policy toward narcotics and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found aiding such networks, regardless of position.