Three with Bhatti links held in J&K, one in Punjab; items ‘drone-dropped from Pakistan’ seized

The Jammu & Kashmir Police apprehended four individuals on Tuesday, including a person from Punjab, in connection with a cross-border narco-terror module with ties to Pakistan. The suspects were linked to notorious Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti. Among those arrested were two residents of Talhar, identified as Ajay Kumar (Rabb and Sam), and one Rahul from Treva.

Authorities seized an Italian-made Bretta pistol, two magazines, four live rounds, and 500 grams of heroin and opium each from the detainees. The seized materials were reportedly delivered via drone from Pakistan, according to a police official. All three suspects are in their early twenties and are drug addicts. Following their interrogation, Jaganpreet Randhawa alias Jaggi was apprehended in Punjab.

The investigation unfolded after the arrest of Rabb and Rahul on October 3, where police recovered a pistol, ammunition, and nearly 500 grams of heroin. Subsequently, Sam was taken into custody, and 500 grams of opium were seized from him. The suspects admitted to receiving drone-delivered consignments of arms, ammunition, and narcotics from Bhatti, who operated under ISI patronage and sent supplies via drone across the border for distribution among the module's members in Punjab.

A case has been filed under relevant sections, and further probing aims to uncover a broader network and additional members of the cross-border narco-terror module. Security agencies have expressed concerns over the use of drones by terrorist handlers and cross-border smugglers in Pakistan to transport weapons and narcotics into Jammu and Kashmir.

In a major operation preceding Independence Day, security agencies across 14 states detained around 250 individuals allegedly connected to the Bhatti network, seizing weapons, grenades, and surveillance equipment. The operation was prompted by intelligence inputs warning of potential terrorist strikes ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.