Gurpreet Singh :- Rajasthan Police have made a major breakthrough in a cross-border drone smuggling case near the Khajuwala border area of Bikaner district, with investigations revealing that the consignment of weapons was allegedly ordered by a smuggler lodged in a Punjab jail.
The case came to light in February after a drone crashed in the 24 KND area near the international border. Security agencies recovered five pistols and 325 live cartridges from the drone, triggering a joint investigation by the Border Security Force and Rajasthan Police.
During the probe, investigators identified the alleged mastermind as Sukhwinder, currently lodged in a Punjab jail. Police have now taken the accused into custody on a production warrant for further questioning.
Officials said the investigation has also brought several local suspects under scrutiny for their possible involvement in the smuggling network.
Anushtha Kalia, who is supervising the investigation, said the role of other persons connected to the drone smuggling operation was also being examined. Investigators suspect the case could be linked to a larger international arms smuggling network operating across the border.
Following the revelations, security agencies have intensified surveillance in border areas and launched efforts to trace others believed to be associated with the racket.
