FEROZEPUR: In a tragic reflection of the deep-rooted drug crisis and cross-border crime network in Punjab, two local youths drowned in the treacherous currents of the Sutlej River while attempting to cross over to Pakistan for heroin smuggling. Their bodies were fished out by authorities two days later near the border fencing.
The police have registered a case against the kingpin, identified as Ganga Singh, a resident of the border village Habib Wala, who is currently on the run.
Exploiting Addiction: The Deception
According to law enforcement officials, the deceased—identified as Mukhtiyar Singh (20) and Manpreet Singh (35)—were residents of Habib Wala village and were severely struggling with drug addiction.
Exploiting their vulnerability, Ganga Singh allegedly lured the duo with false promises and financial incentives, convincing them to undertake a perilous night-time crossing into Pakistan to retrieve a shipment of contraband. Acting on his precise instructions, the two youths entered the river under the cover of darkness.
“The investigation revealed that the accused deliberately pushed the victims into a highly dangerous stretch of the river,” a police spokesperson stated. “The water at the launch point was significantly deep, and both individuals, untrained for such currents, drowned almost immediately upon reaching the midstream.”
The Treacherous ‘Sutlej Corridor’
The incident has once again turned the spotlight on the geographical vulnerabilities of the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. The site where the bodies were recovered is notorious for cross-border trafficking due to the erratic topography of the Sutlej River.
Intelligence and border experts note that between Harike Head and Fazilka, the Sutlej River does not act as a linear boundary. Instead, it zigzags unpredictably, flowing into Pakistani territory at several points before meandering back into India.
Key Vulnerability Zones Explored by Smugglers:
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The Islet of ‘Tapu Kalu Wala’: Surrounded by the river on three sides, this pocket features a direct, flat land route connecting it straight into Pakistan, making it a hotbed for illegal transits.
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The Riverine Network: Smuggling syndicates frequently exploit a string of sensitive border pockets where the river cuts deep, including Bandala, Tendi Wala, Hussainiwala Head, Rajaray, Gajni Wala, Pirke, Nau Bahram Sher Singh Wala, Jodha Bhaini, Ret Wali Bhaini, Noor Shah, and Mahar Sona, before the water course snakes into the Suleiman region of Pakistan.
Crackdown on the Absconding Handler
While the river route is highly favoured by international drug syndicates looking to evade physical border fencing, officials emphasize that the shifting currents and sudden depths make it a death trap.
The Ferozepur Police have launched a massive manhunt to track down Ganga Singh. Raids are actively being conducted across suspected hideouts, and a formal case under relevant sections of the law has been registered. Security forces along the riverine border have also been put on high alert to curb further infiltration attempts.
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