GURDASPUR – Police informers have “infiltrated”’ 65 villages situated near the India-Pakistan border to check the influx of drugs and arms from across the border. A top police officer said they had managed to “break into” these villages, hitherto considered impregnable by the security forces, including the BSF.
Sources say the informers, who reside on the outskirts of villages, mainly deras, keep a hawk’s eye on any movement from across the wired fence. “The police have identified 65 most vulnerable villages in the jurisdiction of the Dera Baba Nanak, Kalanaur and Gurdaspur Sadar police stations. Sarpanches are at times invited to meetings held by senior police officers ,” said a senior officer.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurpreet Singh Toor said international drug cartels were always on the lookout to “recruit” youths of border villages.
“They are being paid Rs 40,000 for carrying a packet of narcotics to places decided by members of the cartel. The youths, who are mostly jobless, are guided by handlers,” the officer said.
