Gurdaspur, April 18: In a case that has stunned senior security officials, Punjab Police have identified a Gurdaspur Central Jail inmate allegedly orchestrating cross-border drone operations to smuggle drugs and weapons from Pakistan.
Gurdaspur SSP Aditya confirmed the development on Friday, stating, “A jail inmate has been found to be involved in a recent drone-related activity in the Dorangla area near the international border. Jail authorities have been informed, and we will seek his remand tomorrow.” He declined to name the inmate, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.
The case unfolded after the arrest of three individuals — Balwinder Singh, Kuldeep Singh, and a minor — all linked to a drone consignment recovered last month. In March, police had seized 2 kg of heroin, two pistols, four magazines, and 66 rounds of ammunition in Dorangla, prompting a weeks-long probe.
“During the follow-up operation, we apprehended Balwinder, Kuldeep, and the minor, and recovered another 255 grams of heroin,” the SSP said. “After sustained interrogation, the trio disclosed that they had been regularly meeting an inmate in Gurdaspur Jail. Together, they planned the drone drops, with the inmate allegedly overseeing operations from inside the prison.”
The minor, whom police believe to be the group’s ringleader, had reportedly used social media platforms to manage communications and coordinate drop timings with handlers across the border. Police have withheld his identity due to his age.
Officials noted that Dorangla, situated just a few kilometers from the Pakistan border, has emerged as a major corridor for drone smuggling. Intelligence sources said Pakistani state and non-state actors have been operating drone bases just across the fence, with precise coordinates shared in advance with Indian operatives.
“All four had prior knowledge of drop locations and timing,” the SSP added, underscoring the growing sophistication of narco-terror networks using prison systems and digital platforms to facilitate transnational crimes.
