Bikaner: In a major crackdown ahead of Independence Day, the Bikaner Police successfully foiled a massive cross-border smuggling operation near the India-Pakistan international border. During a specially launched campaign named ‘Operation Shockwave’, law enforcement authorities intercepted a Pakistani drone and seized a massive cache of narcotics and illegal weaponry in the Khajuwala area.
Acting on precise intelligence inputs regarding a cross-border drone dropping, a joint police team set up a trap near the border. As the consignment was dropped from the Pakistani side, authorities immediately intercepted it. The recovered haul included 10 kilograms of ‘999 mark’ Afghan heroin, which has an estimated international market value of roughly ₹50 crore.
Alongside the narcotics, the police confiscated a highly sophisticated cache of 11 foreign-made firearms valued at over ₹1.5 crore. The seized arsenal consisted of two Turkey-made Zigana pistols, four Glock pistols, and five Star Mark 30-bore pistols, along with 22 magazines and 100 rounds of live ammunition. Authorities also seized the drone used for the illegal air drop.
Following the interception, police arrested a suspect identified as Virendra, a resident of Pali, who had allegedly arrived to collect the contraband. The anti-smuggling operation was executed under the direction of Bikaner Range Inspector General Omprakash and led by Superintendent of Police Mridul Kachhawa. According to SP Kachhawa, early investigations indicate that the roots of this international narco-arms syndicate trace back to Punjab.
Calling it one of the largest strikes on narco-arms syndicates in Rajasthan, police officials credited strong human intelligence (HUMINT) and cyber tracking for the operation’s success. The authorities have identified other suspects linked to the module and are currently conducting raids to apprehend them. Security agencies and border police remain on high alert as investigations continue to uncover the broader network behind this cross-border smuggling ring.