Pak handler used GPS drones to drop arms, heroin in Raj: Probe

Jaipur/Jaisalmer: Two men arrested from Sriganganagar with a cache of weapons and narcotics allegedly dropped from Pakistan have been handed over to a Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC), as central and state agencies flagged the use of GPS-enabled drones to push contraband across the border as a serious security threat.Police have identified the accused as Kulwinder Singh (27), son of Karnail Singh, and Robin Singh (23), both residents of Mahatma Nagar in Fazilka, Punjab, who were arrested Monday. Investigators said the two were in contact with a Pakistan-based handler, who allegedly coordinated the cross-border delivery of drugs and weapons.According to investigators, the handler used GPS-enabled drones to carry out smuggling operations and evade anti-drone systems deployed along the border. Probe agencies said consignments were dropped deep inside Indian territory, with the handler later sharing the exact location coordinates with receivers on the Indian side.Police said a drone originating from Pakistan entered Indian territory on the night of May 3 and dropped a packet containing heroin, opium and weapons worth nearly Rs 10 crore. The next morning, the accused allegedly collected the consignment and were transporting it in a car towards Punjab when Sameja Kothi police station intercepted and arrested them.Investigators said the packets were coated in silver colour so they could be identified easily in darkness. Agencies also found that a special silver chip was fitted inside the consignment, which allegedly allowed the operator in Pakistan to remotely release the packet once the drone reached the designated location.Probe agencies said such drones were capable of carrying nearly 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg payloads at a time and were increasingly being used for cross-border smuggling due to their ability to avoid the detection.Police said Kulwinder had earlier gone to jail in Punjab, where he allegedly came in contact with the Pakistan-based handler. After his release, he allegedly introduced Robin to the smuggling network. Investigators said Ahmed provided complete instructions regarding the pickup point, quantity of drugs and weapons, and the onward delivery route.Sriganganagar SP Hari Shankar said the Pakistan connection of the accused emerged during investigation and more suspects linked to the network were being identified. "Both accused were taking directions from Pakistani drug smugglers across the border. Their JIC interrogation is underway and further links are being probed," he said.