Pakistan’s sinister intentions in the cross-border narcotics saga plaguing Jammu and Kashmir have been exposed. Local police in the region have launched a comprehensive crackdown on drug trafficking, establishing vigilance points along the Line of Control (LOC) to curb this menace.
The crackdown is in response to drug smuggling networks that have taken advantage of the region’s vulnerability, using the proximity to the LoC as a secret route for transporting narcotics. Intelligence gathered from two hardcore drug smugglers reveals that they were misled by handlers based in Pakistan through social media. These smugglers were enticed to collect consignments from specific spots along riverbanks and border fences, with promises of financial rewards and tagging it as a ‘jihad for Islam.’
One of the smugglers, Gulab Khan, who has relatives in Pakistan, expressed regret and called for his kin to return to India. He urged Pakistan to stop misleading individuals in the name of jihad and pleaded with others involved to abandon anti-national activities.
Another narcotics supplier disclosed Pakistan’s elaborate network for transporting drugs across the LoC, specifically in areas like Uri and Kupwara. The modus operandi involves packing drugs into waterproof bags and throwing them across the fence, with local associates in Kashmir collecting and redistributing them.
Former narcotics users who have sought help at a drug de-addiction center in Baramulla expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir police for their intervention. They highlighted the dangers and consequences of addiction and praised the police for saving families from the drug trap.
The report also reveals a disturbing increase in heroin usage among girls in Kashmir. Addicted patients at the drug de-addiction center admitted to escalating their drug intake and experiencing severe consequences. However, with the intervention of the police and the establishment of the de-addiction center, efforts for recovery and counseling are underway, with positive community response.
SSP Baramulla, Amod Ashok Nagpure, highlighted Pakistan’s persistent attempts to infiltrate narcotics into Kashmir. He mentioned the arrest and detention of over 400 peddlers, emphasizing the need to counter the active role of Lashkar-e-Toiba in the Uri sector.
Local authorities and the police are engaging with mosques to discourage drug abuse, and community cooperation is urged to promptly report any drug-related activities. The Drug De-Addiction Centre in Baramulla stands as a beacon of hope, offering assistance to individuals on the path to recovery and guiding families in dealing with addiction. The relentless efforts of law enforcement and support systems aim to combat the narcotics poisoning Kashmir’s future. (With Inputs from Republic Network)
