Jammu, Sep 05: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Jammu zonal unit, through a sustained intelligence-led offensive, has stated to have exposed two distinct routes being used to push heroin into Jammu and Kashmir-directly from Pakistan through the Uri sector and indirectly through Punjab.
In four heroin interceptions in the Jammu division within about a month, along with a linked follow-up recovery in Punjab, NCB has seized a cumulative 6.920 kg of heroin. Significantly, two of these operations, an NCB spokesperson said, were conducted inside drug-affected ‘bastis’, taking enforcement action directly into vulnerable pockets being exploited for drug trafficking.
In the latest operation on September 3, 2026, NCB intercepted a passenger bus near new Bus Stand, Samba and recovered 522 grams of heroin from Aqib Bashir, resident of Kakapora, Pulwama, J&K.
According to the NCB spokesperson, the Bureau immediately pursued the backward linkage of the consignment. The trail led to Ludhiana, Punjab, where a separate follow-up operation resulted in the recovery of another 197 grams of heroin.
The linked Samba-Ludhiana operation thus resulted in seizure of 719 grams of heroin so far, while further investigation was underway to identify and apprehend other persons connected with the supply, transportation and intended distribution of the consignment.
The Punjab trail came close on the heels of another major NCB Jammu operation involving seizure of 5.160 kg of heroin. “Investigation in that case indicated that the consignment had originated from Pakistan and entered J&K through the Uri sector. NCB pursued the trail beyond the point of seizure up to Leh, where the alleged supplier was apprehended,” spokesperson stated.
The two investigations therefore exposed two different supply channels feeding heroin into the region-one originating across the Pakistan border and another operating through the Punjab-J&K corridor.
“As part of the same sustained offensive, NCB conducted two separate operations inside drug-affected ‘bastis’ in the Jammu and Samba belt, recovering 438 grams and 603 grams of heroin respectively,” the spokesperson maintained.
Together with the 5.160 kg Jammu seizure and the latest 522 grams Samba seizure followed by the 197 grams Ludhiana recovery, the operations resulted in a cumulative seizure of 6.920 kg of heroin.
“NCB’s strategy is focused not merely on intercepting drugs or apprehending carriers. Every consignment is being pursued backwards towards its source, forwards towards its intended recipients and through its financial trail, with the objective of identifying and dismantling the entire trafficking chain,” spokesperson said.
The Pakistan-Uri trail pursued up to Leh and the latest Samba trail pursued backwards into Ludhiana demonstrated this approach, he added.
“Further investigation is underway to identify the source, intended recipients, financiers and other associates of these networks and trace their wider interstate and cross-border linkages,” NCB spokesperson said, urging the public to join the fight against drug trafficking.
“Any information relating to the sale, storage, transportation or trafficking of narcotic drugs may be shared on the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline 1933. The identity of the informant will be kept confidential,” it was stated.
