It is not just terror that is being exported from across the border. The scourge of drug trafficking in Punjab has been growing due to the easy availability of drug couriers, digging of tunnels, insertion of pipes through border fencing, and well-knit syndicates including transnational criminals running the racket from jails.

The Border Security Force (BSF), in a detailed report to the Union Home Ministry on drug trafficking in Punjab from beyond the borders, has explained the functioning of well-organised drug cartels.

The border guarding force was prompted to submit a report to the Home Ministry after the Punjab government slammed it for not cracking down on the drug mafia that continues to smuggle drugs from Pakistan.

Personnel of the BSF and Punjab Police hold up packets of heroin seized along the border with Pakistan after a recent haul

The ruling Shirimoni Akali Dal government in Punjab has blamed the BSF for the drug menace in Punjab that has been growing due to drug trafficking from Pakistan.

The border guarding force has also said that it’s not smuggled drugs that are solely responsible for the drug menace in the state. According to the BSF report, heroin and opium, the two drugs most smuggled, contribute to only five per cent of the substance abuse in Punjab.

According to the BSF, there are plenty of couriers in border villages and they are being paid up to Rs 60,000 per kg and a well-organised syndicate ensures that drug consignments are “concealed and cleared”.

The BSF has also admitted that for years people along the border have been part of the drug network but little has been done to rein in these elements.

BSF personnel stand by slain couriers found using a pipe inserted through the border fence to smuggle heroin

“There is a third generation of smugglers and couriers operating on the Punjab border. For a majority of them, this has become a hereditary profession,” the report says.

The BSF has communicated that local authorities are not of much help in identifying people who are part of drug cartels.

Sources say since there is a good network of couriers ensuring smooth clearance of consignments from the border areas, the kingpins are never nabbed.

“Synthetic drugs are freely available in border areas of Punjab. They can be purchased from chemists or local vendors,” the report says.

The BSF has explained the modus operandi and functioning of cartels that are pumping drugs from across the border.

The use of Pakistani mobile phones by Indian smugglers and vice versa to deceive intelligence agencies is one method being used to evade security agencies.

“SIM cards are frequently changed to hoodwink surveillance. Indian smugglers use Pakistani SIM cards and Pakistanis use Indian SIM cards. Transnational criminals contact each other from within and outside jails also,” the BSF report states.

Punjab Police personnel burn huge quantities of seized drugs

Continued drug smuggling has resulted in the youth in Punjab falling prey to the menace in large numbers. Of late the issue has created a political stir in the state, with the Enforcement Directorate questioning Bikram Majithia, a minister in the Akali government and brother-in-law of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal.

The state government in return has put the blame on BSF. Sources say the BSF has decided to give a detailed report to the Home Ministry listing the steps taken by the force and at the same time identifying the weaknesses in the mechanism to curb the drug racket.

“Non-availability of pucca (concrete) roads along the International Border in Punjab, suitable observation posts and obsolete infrastructure for border flood lights” are some of the factors put out by the BSF that make it difficult for them to crackdown on the menace.

The BSF has requested the Home Ministry for powers of technical surveillance for mobile and telephone interception since most of the drug deals are communicated on the phone.

The force believes that mobile interception will provide instant and concrete information and help in launching special operations.

The BSF has also listed several measures taken by the force to curb drug smuggling.

Effective domination of the border, using hi-tech surveillance equipment and upgrading the intelligence network along with better coordination with other agencies are some of the areas the BSF is working on to counter the menace.

Cause gets lost in party face-off

By Manjeet Sehgal in Chandigarh

The battle over drugs is raging in Punjab. With the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) blaming the BSF for not doing enough to stop the alleged cross-border drugs smuggling from Pakistan, rival Congress has accused the Akalis of demeaning the border guards.

SAD’S recent protests at the Attari border against the BSF have drawn flak from across the political spectrum.

Condemning SAD for its attempts to “malign the image of BSF”, Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Captain Amarinder Singh, expressed his solidarity with the border guards, saying Akali protests against the force could not have come at a worse time as BSF was currently fighting the Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Army.

Congress workers protest against SAD after its leaders blamed the BSF for not doing enough to curb smuggling

“Nothing can be more outrageous and shameful than to defame and demoralise our brave men,” Amarinder said.

He also announced that he will organise programmes in support of the BSF after the Maghi celebrations.

Congress leader in the state legislature, Sunil Jakhar, said: “The Akali protest is a tactic to divert attention from the involvement of their minister and leaders in the drugs trade. They want to turn Punjab into another Kashmir where demonstrations against the security forces are held at the behest of Pakistan.”

He also visited the Sadqi outpost in Fazilka and praised the BSF for its vigil.

Observers said the SAD never accepted that Punjab was facing a drugs problem. However, when the issue was red-flagged by ally Bharatiya Janata Party, the Akalis indulged in a blame game. But it has not really worked in SAD’s favour, and several of the party leaders have realised that.

Senior SAD leaders described the party’s protests at the Attari border as “hurriedly planned”. They accepted that the party’s anti- BSF statements did not go down well with many within the party and beyond.

Observers pointed out that SAD then tried to tackle the situation by blaming the BJP-ruled states - Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan - for Punjab’s drug problem.

SAD leaders also blamed Congress leaders, like Partap Bajwa, saying he was involved in smuggling. As the slugfest continues, it remains to be seen whether serious efforts are made to counter the drugs menace.