PATIALA – In a significant breakthrough for regional law enforcement, the Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Punjab Police has successfully dismantled an active Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) module operating across state lines. The targeted operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the recovery of high-quality counterfeit currency totalling ₹5.50 lakh.
The success of the operation was officially confirmed by the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, who emphasized that the crackdown is part of an intensive, ongoing state-wide campaign to eliminate organized crime networks and enhance public safety.
The Arrested Suspects
According to police officials, the four arrested individuals have been identified as:
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Nazar Khan, a resident of village Jhuneer, Malerkotla.
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Raj Mohammad, a resident of Dhuri, Sangrur.
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Asif Ali, a resident of Malerkotla.
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Mukhtiar Singh (alias Gurjit Singh), a resident of village Malikpur in the Jind district of Haryana.
DGP Gaurav Yadav disclosed that the entire seized cache consisted exclusively of fake notes in the ₹500 denomination. Preliminary background checks have revealed that Raj Mohammad has a prior criminal record, with an active First Information Report (FIR) already registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
How the Operation Unfolded
Providing details on the tactical execution of the arrests, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Counter Intelligence Patiala, Dr. Simrat Kaur, stated that the operation was carried out in two coordinated phases by the CI Unit’s Malerkotla team.
“In the initial phase, our team intercepted and arrested Nazar Khan and Raj Mohammad, recovering counterfeit bills worth ₹4 lakh from their immediate possession,” Dr. Kaur stated. “Following intelligence gathered during their preliminary interrogation, follow-up raids were conducted, leading to the apprehension of Mukhtiar Singh and Asif Ali, from whom an additional ₹1.50 lakh in counterfeit currency was seized.”
Wider Network Under the Scanner
The Punjab Police have registered a formal case and are deeply investigating the forward and backward linkages of the module. Investigators are currently focusing on identifying the source of the printing technology, tracking the supply routes, and locating potential distributors further down the chain.
Senior officials indicated that the operation remains fluid, and further arrests are highly anticipated as the investigation progresses.
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