JAISALMER: In a major breakthrough against cross-border smuggling ahead of Independence Day, Rajasthan Police on Sunday foiled an alleged Pakistan-backed drone-based narco-arms smuggling attempt in Bikaner’s Khajuwala sector, seizing 10 kg of “999 Marka” Afghan heroin valued at around Rs 50 crore, along with 11 sophisticated foreign-made pistols, 22 magazines and 100 live rounds of ammunition.The operation, codenamed Operation SHOCKWAVE, was conducted under the supervision of Bikaner Superintendent of Police Mridul Kachhawa and is being regarded as one of the biggest recent successes against an international drone-based narcotics and arms smuggling network operating along the India-Pakistan border.Based on specific Human Intelligence (HUMINT) inputs and technical surveillance, police intercepted suspected smugglers after they collected a consignment allegedly dropped by a drone from across the Pakistan border in an agricultural field in the 6 BD area under Khajuwala police station limits. The accused were intercepted while transporting the consignment on a motorcycle.Police detained one accused, Virendra Singh, a resident of Jodhpur, who had allegedly arrived to receive the consignment. The remaining accused have been identified and named, and efforts are underway to arrest them. Preliminary investigation has revealed links between the cross-border narco-arms syndicate and operatives in Punjab.SP Mridul Kachhawa said the gang had been under police surveillance for a considerable period. Continuous intelligence inputs, technical monitoring and field verification enabled investigators to execute the operation successfully and prevent the contraband from reaching criminal networks.The seized consignment included 10 kg of 99.9 per cent pure “999 Marka” Afghan heroin bearing the Helmand mark, along with an arsenal of sophisticated firearms comprising two Turkey-made Zigana pistols, four Glock pistols, five Star-marked Chinese pistols, 22 magazines and 100 live cartridges.Officials said the operation underlined the growing threat posed by Pakistan-based drone smuggling networks attempting to push narcotics and weapons across the international border. With Independence Day approaching, security agencies have been placed on high alert and surveillance along the border has been intensified to prevent any infiltration or smuggling attempts.The operation was supported by the Bikaner Police Cyber Cell, with Deepak Yadav, head constable Vasudev charan and Shriram playing a key role in technical analysis and intelligence gathering.Police have seized the entire consignment and launched a detailed investigation to identify the complete network behind the operation. Investigators are examining the syndicate’s links with Pakistan and tracing its connections to other Indian states. Officials said further arrests are expected as the probe progresses.
