DH NEWS SERVICE
jammu, May 20
In a major breakthrough against cross-border narcotics smuggling, the Jammu Police on Wednesday recovered a drone-dropped consignment of heroin weighing nearly three kilograms in the Bishnah sector along the India-Pakistan border. According to police officials, the consignment was recovered during the morning hours following a carefully planned operation based on specific intelligence inputs regarding possible drone activity and smuggling attempts in the border area. Officials said police teams had been maintaining strict surveillance and conducting round-the-clock monitoring in vulnerable sectors over the past week after receiving credible information about cross-border narcotics movement through drones.
The intensified vigil ultimately led to the successful interception and seizure of the heroin consignment before it could reach its intended recipients inside Indian territory.
Police described the recovery as a significant success in the ongoing crackdown against narco-terror networks operating from across the border. The use of drones for smuggling narcotics, weapons and other contraband has emerged as a major security challenge for agencies in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab in recent years.
Officials said the recovered narcotics were believed to have been dropped by a drone from across the border during the night or early morning hours. Security agencies suspect that the consignment was intended for local operatives linked to smuggling and terror-financing networks active in the region.
A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory reached the spot soon after the recovery to examine the seized material and collect scientific evidence related to the case.
Police said forensic experts conducted a detailed analysis of the contraband and surrounding area in order to identify possible fingerprints, packaging patterns, GPS coordinates and other technical clues that could help investigators trace the route and origin of the consignment.
Officials added that the seizure highlights the enhanced operational preparedness and surveillance capabilities of Jammu Police in dealing with evolving cross-border threats, particularly drone-based smuggling attempts.
“This successful seizure is a testament to the unwavering commitment of Jammu Police to dismantle the narco-terror ecosystem. It highlights the force’s enhanced vigilance and tactical capability in countering emerging technological threats such as drone-based smuggling from across the border,” police officials said.
Security agencies have repeatedly warned that narcotics smuggling and terrorism are closely interconnected, with proceeds from drug trafficking often being used to fund anti-national and terror-related activities.
Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of drones by Pakistan-based smuggling networks to transport narcotics, arms, ammunition and cash across the international border into Indian territory. Such activities have prompted security forces to strengthen anti-drone surveillance systems and intelligence coordination mechanisms.
Officials said the latest operation was the result of sustained intelligence gathering and coordinated field surveillance by police personnel deployed in sensitive border areas.
Police teams had reportedly identified certain vulnerable pockets in the Bishnah sector where suspicious drone activity had been noticed in recent weeks. Following this, additional monitoring and patrolling measures were put in place to prevent infiltration or smuggling attempts.
The heroin consignment has been seized under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation into the case is currently underway.
Police said investigators are now working to identify both the local handlers expected to receive the narcotics and the Pakistan-based network responsible for orchestrating the smuggling operation.
“A comprehensive investigation is underway to trace the forward and backward linkages of the Pakistani network,” officials said.
Security agencies are also examining technical evidence related to drone flight paths, possible communication channels and financial transactions linked to the smuggling attempt.
The recovery comes amid intensified efforts by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to crack down on narco-terrorism and disrupt cross-border networks involved in drug trafficking and illegal activities.
Senior officials have reiterated that Jammu Police and other security agencies remain committed to maintaining strict vigilance along border areas and taking strong action against those involved in narcotics smuggling and related anti-national activities.
