One smuggler was shot dead while three others were injured during a fierce shootout with the Border Security Force (BSF) troopers at Dera Baba Nanak sector on Indo-Pak border on Saturday night. A recovery of 22 kilogram drugs (heroin), having street value Rs110 crore, was also made from them.
Confirming the encounter and recovery of drug, arms and ammunition, the BSF official said that after encounter with smugglers on Saturday night, one automatic imported pistol, three loaded magazines with thirty cartridges, and Pakistani SIM cards were also recovered on the spot besides 22 kgs heroin.The seizure was made in the border out-post of Boharwadala area of Gurdaspur sector.
Talking about the smugglers, the official said that the smugglers were Indian as they went to Indo-Pak border during mid-night to retrieve the consignment sent by their Pakistani counterparts.“When they reached at the border, they were challenged by the BSF patrolling party. Firing started, when Indian smugglers declined to surrender before the BSF in spite of repeated warning,” said the official.
During the firing, one Indian smuggler was killed on the spot and three injured who were arrested subsequently and shifted to Government hospital under tight security, he said.The BSF has seized over 305 kg of heroin this year in Punjab.Punjab shares a 553-km-long international border with Pakistan.