AI Generated Summary
- Despite devastating floods on both sides of the border, drug and arms smuggling across the Ravi and Sutlej rivers has intensified, claiming four lives in Tarn Taran this month due to overdoses.
- Authorities also recovered an audio clip from a smuggler’s phone, in which Pakistani handlers can be heard discussing the use of river routes and drones for smuggling.
- In response, Punjab Police intensified raids, targeting 359 locations in a single day.
Despite devastating floods on both sides of the border, drug and arms smuggling across the Ravi and Sutlej rivers has intensified, claiming four lives in Tarn Taran this month due to overdoses.
Pakistani syndicates are exploiting swollen river spans, sending consignments on boats, tyre tubes, and even makeshift floats fashioned from plastic bottles. Officials say the tactic, last seen during the floods of 2003 and 2023, has made riverine stretches more vulnerable than ever.
Boats Bring More Than Relief
The Border Security Force (BSF) reported what they described as the first documented use of boats for weapon delivery. In Fazilka’s Mohar Jamsher village, BSF and Punjab Police seized 27 pistols and 470 cartridges. Days later, another cache—16 pistols and nearly 1,850 cartridges—was recovered. Investigators revealed smugglers earned between ₹20,000 and ₹30,000 for each pistol, with delivery details shared only after advance payment.
“The river span in Fazilka has widened by several kilometres. This has directly enabled smugglers to use boats to ferry consignments,” a BSF official explained.
Vacated Posts, Open Routes
Floodwaters forced the BSF to abandon several forward posts in Tarn Taran and Amritsar. Police later seized 20 kilograms of narcotics pushed across the Ravi using tyre tubes. According to interrogation reports, traffickers managed to slip in nearly 30 kilograms within just two weeks, though two-thirds of it was intercepted.
Authorities also recovered an audio clip from a smuggler’s phone, in which Pakistani handlers can be heard discussing the use of river routes and drones for smuggling.
Human Toll
The smuggling boom has had deadly consequences. Four young men from Tarn Taran lost their lives to overdoses this month: Nishan Singh (27) of Chhapri Sahib; brothers Malkiat Singh and Gurpreet Singh of Jamarai village; and another Nishan Singh (24) of Baghiari village. One of the victims reportedly died after injecting a crushed oral de-addiction tablet.
Statewide Crackdown
In response, Punjab Police intensified raids, targeting 359 locations in a single day. The operation led to 86 arrests, 75 FIRs, and the seizure of 21.1 kg heroin, 2 kg opium, 254 kg poppy husk, over 1,100 intoxicant tablets, and cash proceeds.
Officials acknowledge, however, that the smuggling networks are far from dismantled. “Floods may have hit villages, but for traffickers, they have opened new routes,” one police officer admitted.
