Punjab Police Arrest Key Financial Conduit in Cross-Border Narco-Terror Network Linked to Army Deserter Case
— Accused Used Bank Account to Route Heroin Trafficking Proceeds on Instructions from Pakistan-Based Smuggler: DGP Gaurav Yadav
— Probe Continues; Additional Arrests Expected Soon: AIG SSOC Deepak Pareek
Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, January 25
In a significant breakthrough as part of Punjab’s ongoing campaign to eradicate drugs under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s directives, the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in SAS Nagar has dismantled a critical financial link in an inter-state and cross-border narco-terror syndicate by arresting a key money handler.
The arrested individual is Satnam Singh (22), a resident of Punnewal village in Sangrur district. Previously employed as a taxi driver for a private company, Satnam traveled to Azerbaijan on a tourist visa in June 2025, where he established contact with a Pakistan-based drug smuggler.
The arrest stems from detailed investigations into the backward and forward connections following the apprehension of Rajbir Singh alias Fauji, a former Indian Army personnel who deserted in February 2025. Rajbir was nabbed in Raxaul near the Indo-Nepal border while attempting to flee to Nepal. He was identified as a heroin supplier to Chirag, who had earlier been arrested with 107 grams of heroin, a 9 mm pistol, and live ammunition.
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DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav stated that initial probes show Satnam Singh deliberately permitted his bank account and UPI details to be used for channeling proceeds from heroin sales, acting under directives from the Pakistan-based smuggler, thereby aiding terror financing.
The syndicate is connected to major heroin seizures, illicit arms smuggling, and the grenade attack in Sirsa, Haryana, in November 2025.
AIG SSOC SAS Nagar Deepak Pareek provided further details, noting that sustained interrogation of Rajbir revealed the Pakistan-based handler re-contacted Satnam after his return to India in September 2025. The handler groomed him into the network, promising commissions for handling financial transactions.
Investigations disclosed that drug sale proceeds were deposited into Satnam’s account and then forwarded to other network members. Funds were also transferred to Satnam’s account from Tarn Taran resident Gurjant Singh’s account via Rajbir; Gurjant has since been arrested by Haryana Police.
The AIG confirmed that investigations are actively progressing, with more arrests anticipated in the near future.
An FIR (No. 14 dated December 10, 2025) has been registered at SSOC SAS Nagar Police Station under Section 21 of the NDPS Act, Section 25(1) of the Arms Act, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
