ITBP seizes major gold haul in Ladakh Border Op

Ladakh, July 10: A Long Range Patrolling (LRP) operation by the 21st Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has uncovered a significant smuggling operation in the Southern Sub Sector of Eastern Ladakh.
Led by Deputy Commandant Deepak Bhatt and a team of three Senior Officers (SOs) and seventeen Other Ranks (ORs), the operation was launched following intelligence inputs indicating increased smuggling activities near Sirigaple, Ladakh.
The battalion reported that on July 9, 2024, around 1:30/2:00 PM, they initiated the LRP in the border areas of the Southern Sub Sector, focusing on Chismule, Narbula Top, Zakle, and Zakla. The aim was to deter infiltration and smuggling.
Approximately 1 km from the International Border, the patrol team intercepted two persons with mules at about 1:20 pm. Upon inspection, they found a significant haul including 108 international gold bars weighing 108.060 kg, along with two mobile phones, one binocular, Chinese food items, and various tools. Initially claiming to gather medicinal plants, further investigation confirmed the suspects’ involvement in smuggling.
In a press conference, ITBP officials stated that the suspects, identified as Tenzin Targy (40) and TseringChamba (69), have been handed over to the Customs Department for further interrogation.
Ajay Nirmalkar, Commandant of the 21st Battalion, ITBP, overseeing the operation remotely via satellite phone, direcredthe team to ensure the secure custody of suspects and seized items. Authorized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to exercise customs powers, ITBP plays a crucial role in border security and combating smuggling.
A joint interrogation involving Civil Police, Intelligence Bureau (IB), Special Branch (SB), Customs, and ITBP will be conducted. The Customs department has taken custody of the seized items and suspects for legal proceedings. This operation forms part of a broader strategy approved by Sector Headquarters Srinagar, ITBP, and Headquarters North-West Frontier, involving coordinated patrols in the region.