The Rajasthan Police on Wednesday claimed to have uncovered a major terror-smuggling conspiracy involving an alleged attempt by Pakistani smugglers to deliver a consignment of foreign weapons through a drone near the Indo-Pak border.
In connection with the case, police arrested Sukhwinder Singh Sonu, who was brought from Faridkot Central Jail on a production warrant. The 28-year-old accused belongs to Chak 2-KNM village in Sri Ganganagar district and had earlier been arrested in Fazilka.
According to police sources, Sonu allegedly remained in contact with Pakistani smugglers through a mobile phone while lodged in Faridkot jail and coordinated the delivery of illegal foreign-made weapons and ammunition from across the border.
Police said the drone sent by the Pakistani handlers failed to reach the designated drop location and crashed elsewhere, leading to the recovery of the abandoned arms consignment.
On February 26, security agencies had recovered five foreign-made pistols, 325 live cartridges and a damaged drone near the Indo-Pak border. During the investigation, police allegedly found that Sonu had established contact with Pakistani operatives to facilitate the delivery of the weapons.
Investigators said Sonu has a long criminal record, with around 10 cases registered against him. These include seven cases under the Essential Commodities Act, one theft case involving criminal conspiracy charges under Section 120-B, and another case under the NDPS Act.
In 2023, he was arrested in Fazilka in connection with the smuggling of 37 kg heroin, in which charges under the Arms Act were also invoked.
Police are now probing the wider network linked to the cross-border smuggling operation and possible terror links behind the attempted weapons delivery.
