BSF troopers on Sunday shot dead four smugglers, including two Pakistanis, in the Khemkaran sector of Punjab’s Tarn Taran district and seized nearly 10 kg heroin, officials said.
The encounter took place in Mehndipur village.
Two of the dead smugglers are from India whereas, remaining two are from Pakistan. Initial reports suggest that the Pakistani smugglers were in India to deliver drugs to their Indian counterparts when the encounter took place.
“Out of 4, 2 were recipients from Indian side and 2 were Pak smugglers who were to deliver contraband narcotics,” said Anil Paliwal, IG, BSF.
RS Katarai, a spokesman of the BSF, said 10 packets of heroin weighing 10 kg besides two Pakistan-made pistols and one countrymade pistol have been recovered from the spot from the possession of Indian smugglers. The BSF also recovered 37 cartridges, Pakistani currency worth Rs. 270 and a Pakistani SIM from the spot, the spokesperson said.
One PVC pipe has also been recovered from the spot, he added. The spokesman said a patrolling party of BSF’s 191 Battalion noticed some movement near Pillar No 165/17-18 in the wee hours.
The two Indian nationals are yet to be identified, he said, adding that investigation is underway.
