Chandigarh, February 4
In two separate incidents along the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab last night, the Border Security Force seized 23 kg heroin, valued at Rs 115 crore in the international market, along with a pistol and eight rounds of ammunition.

Around 13 kg heroin and a pistol were seized at the Pallopati border outpost in the Ferozepur Sector, while 10 kg contraband was seized at Ghoga outpost in Amritsar Sector, said the BSF in a statement here today. The alleged smugglers at both places managed to flee under the cover of darkness.

Acting on a tip-off, special nakas were laid in the vicinity of the Pallopati border outpost. On the intervening night of Feb 3 and 4, security personnel observed movement of three suspected persons from Pakistan side. The smugglers came near the Pillar No. 145/3 of the international border at around 4 am.

While two persons stayed back, the third person, who was carrying a bag, approached the barbed wire fence. He was challenged and three mortar flares were fired to illuminate the area. The naka party then fired in the direction of smugglers, who managed to escape. A search of the area produced 13 packets of narcotics wrapped with adhesive tape and one loaded pistol.

In the second incident, a special naka was laid near Ghoga outpost. At around 4.30 am, BSF troops heard some sound near the fence and spotted movement of a person carrying a plastic pipe from the Pakistan side. He ran away after being challenged. Ten packets of heroin were recovered from the pipe, which was left behind by the smuggler.