BSF recovers 10 kg heroin in Punjab after gunfight

Border Security Force (BSF) troopers recovered 10 kg of heroin along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab after an exchange of fire with Pakistani smugglers, a BSF spokesman said on Tuesday.

The heroin was recovered near border outpost (BoP) Muthianwala in the Ferozepur sector.

"Based on specific information about smuggling of narcotics through international border, special ambush were laid by BSF troopers in the area and on observing suspicious movement of some miscreants ahead of the border security fence, the troopers challenged them.

"But the Pakistani smugglers did not pay any heed to the challenge and opened fire on BSF troopers. The BSF fired back in self-defence," the spokesman said.

"However, the smugglers managed to escape taking cover of standing paddy crops and darkness. During search of the area, 10 packets (about 10 kg) of contraband, two magazines of an AK-47 rifle and one PVC pipe (approx 12 feet long) were recovered," he added.

The heroin is valued at Rs.50 crore in the international market.

The total seizure of heroin this year by the BSF along the Punjab border is over 291 kg.The seizure of heroin in the entire last year (2014) was 361 kg in the Punjab sector, which was the highest ever.