Indian Army foils narcotics smuggling attempt, recovers 2.5 kg suspected heroin in Poonch

In a swift and successful operation on Wednesday morning, the Indian Army and Jammu Kashmir Police thwarted a major attempt at narcotics smuggling from across the border in the Poonch district of Jammu. During the overnight operation, the Indian Army and Police recovered 2.5 kilograms of narcotics suspected to be heroin.

Sources indicate that the troops deployed in the forward areas of Poonch made the recovery, and search operations in the region are currently underway. The recovered heroin is estimated to have an international market worth of 12.5 crores and is believed to be intended to finance terror activities in the region.

The incident follows a concerning trend of increased attempts by Pakistan to push narcotics into Poonch, with seizures in 2023 totaling over 400 crores. Last year, joint security forces successfully recovered 87 kilograms of heroin. Law enforcement efforts extended beyond arrests, with authorities seizing properties and vehicles linked to the drug trade.

The Poonch region has emerged as a potential transit route for narcotics, prompting heightened vigilance and intensified efforts by security agencies to counter terror financing via the narcotics trade. The successful operation by the Indian Army underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining the security landscape and the crucial role played by security forces in preventing illicit activities that could potentially fund terrorist operations in the region.