Major Drug Haul in Sri Ganganagar as Pakistani Drone Drops Heroin for Third Straight Day
In a significant development along the India-Pakistan international border, security forces have recovered a fresh consignment of heroin dropped by a Pakistani drone on Tuesday in the Karanpur sector of Sri Ganganagar district. This marks the third consecutive day of such recoveries in this sensitive region, highlighting an escalating pattern of cross-border narcotics smuggling.
Joint Operation Nets 1.560 kg Heroin Worth ₹8 Crore
Acting on specific intelligence inputs from the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), the Border Security Force (BSF), in close coordination with local police, successfully recovered two packets of heroin weighing approximately 1.560 kilograms near the international border. The estimated international market value of this seized contraband stands at around ₹8 crore.
The packets were discovered in close proximity to the same area where, just a day earlier on Monday, security forces had seized three packets containing 2.340 kilograms of heroin. Following this latest recovery, BSF, along with police and ANTF teams, has significantly intensified search operations across the entire region, with extensive blockades and heightened surveillance measures being implemented.
Three-Day Total Reaches 16.067 kg Worth ₹80 Crore
Over the past 72 hours, a staggering total of 16.067 kilograms of heroin has been recovered in three separate operations within the Karanpur sector of Sri Ganganagar district. The cumulative estimated international market value of these seizures amounts to approximately ₹80 crore, underscoring the massive scale of this smuggling operation.
According to BSF sources, Pakistani smugglers operating across the border have been specifically targeting the Sri Ganganagar sector using drones to drop narcotics consignments. On Tuesday, for the third consecutive day, a drone originating from across the border dropped two packets of heroin near BSF's 3 FC border outpost in the Karanpur area.
Intelligence-Led Operation and Investigation Details
Sources revealed that ANTF Sri Ganganagar had received specific intelligence inputs regarding the possible recovery of additional heroin packets in the same area. This critical information was promptly shared with the BSF's intelligence wing, leading to a meticulously planned joint search operation.
During the comprehensive search, the joint team recovered two packets from an agricultural field, with the heroin weighing approximately 1.560 kilograms. Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Harishankar Yadav confirmed that the heroin had been smuggled across the international border via drone by Pakistani traffickers and was recovered in a coordinated operation involving district police and BSF personnel.
A formal case has been registered at Sri Karanpur Police Station under FIR No. 77/2026, invoking Sections 8/21 and 29 of the NDPS Act against unknown accused individuals. The investigation has been entrusted to Station House Officer Krishna Kumar Puni of Sameja Kothi Police Station, with concerted efforts underway to identify and apprehend all those involved in this illicit network.
Security Alert and Historical Context of Drone Smuggling
Authorities have maintained a high alert status throughout the region, with continuous search operations and enhanced surveillance being carried out jointly by BSF and police forces. Officials are diligently working to identify the sophisticated network behind these persistent drone-based smuggling attempts.
Security agencies strongly believe this is not merely isolated incidents of drug trafficking but rather part of a larger, organized cross-border network that poses a significant security challenge to national integrity.
The recent sequence of recoveries includes 12.167 kilograms of heroin seized from the Rohi area of village 23 O on April 5, followed by 2.340 kilograms on April 6, and now 1.560 kilograms on April 7. This brings the three-day total to 16.067 kilograms.
Notably, over the past three years, this incident marks the 18th occurrence of drone-based drug smuggling in the Sri Karanpur sector. Additional significant seizures include 4.880 kilograms of heroin recovered in the Rawla area in January and 10.800 kilograms seized on March 26. To date, authorities have arrested 10 accused individuals in connection with these ongoing cases, demonstrating the persistent efforts to combat this cross-border menace.
