Srinagar, Aug 09: The Punjab Police on Wednesday claimed to have apprehended five persons from Baramulla in connection with a case involving the seizure of heroin.
Apart from recovery of drugs, authorities also recovered a pistol, two magazines, 46 cartridges, and Rs 11.20 lakh cash from the arrested persons.
Deputy Inspector General, Border Range Amritsar, Narinder Bhargav, addressing the media said that the five accused were apprehended in Baramulla district. DIG Bhargav asserted that the money, as well as arms and ammunition seized from the arrested persons, were intended for nefarious terror-related activities. “The arrested individuals have been identified as Raveel Kataria, Imtayaz Ahmed, Nafeez, Mukhtiar Ahmad, and Fiaz Ahmed, all residents of Baramulla,” the officer said.
DIG Bhargav said the arrests and the recovery was based on a tip-off received during interrogation of three persons, who had previously been taken into custody in Gurdaspur in Punjab on July 27, with a seizure of 18 kilograms of heroin. “Subsequently, a joint operation involving the police and the army was initiated to apprehend the five suspects in the Baramulla area, he said.
The seizure of heroin and the related arrests highlight the continuous efforts made by law enforcement agencies to curb illegal drug trafficking and other associated criminal activities. “The confiscation of weapons and cash only reinforces the belief that these individuals were potentially involved in larger networks aimed at destabilising the region,” he said. DIG further said they are determined to ascertain the full scope of the operation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The successful collaboration between law enforcement agencies highlights their commitment to maintaining security and safeguarding public welfare, he said.
