In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police's State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) has arrested a former Army man with a significant cache of narcotics and a deadly weapon near the Indo-Nepal border. The arrest has unraveled a complex web involving drug trafficking, espionage, and a terror attack on a police station.
Arrest at the Border and Seizure
The SSOC team from SAS Nagar apprehended the ex-serviceman, identified as Rajbir Singh alias Fauji, in Raxaul town, Motihari, Bihar. The location is critically situated near the porous border with Nepal. During the arrest, officials recovered 500 grams of high-grade heroin and a live hand grenade from his possession. Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, stated that Singh was allegedly attempting to flee the country via Nepal when he was intercepted.
This arrest followed the earlier detention of Singh's close aide, Chirag, a resident of Fazilka's Kashi Ram Colony. From Chirag, who acted as a courier, police had seized 407 grams of heroin and a 9mm pistol. Investigations revealed Chirag played a pivotal role in managing the financial proceeds of the drug trade for Rajbir Singh, serving as a crucial node in the narcotics supply chain.
From Soldier to Suspect: A Trail of Espionage and Crime
Preliminary probes paint a startling picture of the accused's journey. Rajbir Singh joined the Indian Army in 2011 but deserted in February 2025. This drastic step came after he and some associates were booked under the stringent Official Secrets Act in an espionage case. The case was registered under sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Act at Gharinda police station in Amritsar Rural earlier this year.
Further investigation uncovered that in 2022, Singh came into contact with Pakistan-based entities through social media platforms. In a treacherous bargain, he began supplying sensitive military information in exchange for access to heroin consignments. He also allegedly introduced other Army personnel to these foreign handlers. After the espionage case was filed, Singh absconded, using Nepal as a hideout while frequently shuttling between Punjab and Nepal to continue his drug operations, revealed AIG SSOC D Sudarvizhi.
Link to the Sirsa Grenade Attack Unveiled
Perhaps the most grave revelation is the duo's connection to a terror act. DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the investigation has established the role of both Rajbir Singh and Chirag in the conspiracy behind the grenade attack on a women's police station in Sirsa, Haryana.
The modus operandi involved the accused delivering hand grenades to one Gurjant Singh from Amritsar Rural, who has since been arrested by Haryana Police. Financial assistance for the attack was channeled through Chirag. The funds provided to Gurjant were ultimately passed on to the assailants who executed the grenade attack, the DGP explained.
Rajbir Singh disclosed during interrogation that his Pakistan-based handlers were actively facilitating his escape from India to Europe via Nepal. Following his arrest in Bihar, a transit remand was obtained, and he was brought to Punjab for detailed questioning.
A formal case has been registered against him at the SSOC police station in Mohali on December 10, 2025. The charges include Section 21 of the NDPS Act (for narcotics), Section 25(1) of the Arms Act, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The DGP mentioned that a thorough investigation is ongoing to establish all forward and backward linkages in this multi-faceted case.
