Rising Drug Menace in Samba: Attack on Police Highlights Deep-Rooted Nexus of Narco-Terrorism and Criminal Networks in J&K

Rising Drug Menace in Samba: Attack on Police Highlights Deep-Rooted Nexus of Narco-Terrorism and Criminal Networks in J&K

||Black and White Digital News ||
||Parvinder Singh April 10, 2025||

Jammu/Samba : In a chilling reminder of the growing threat posed by drug cartels in the Jammu region, three police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bari Brahmana Police Station, were grievously injured during a late-night operation against drug peddlers in the Balol Khad area of Samba district. The violent assault not only exposed the scale and audacity of the drug mafia, but also highlighted serious operational and intelligence lapses that left two senior officers fighting for their lives.

The Operation and the Ambush:

Acting on specific inputs regarding the presence of drug traffickers, a five-member police team led by SHO Pushpinder Singh raided a suspected hideout in the Balol Khad region. However, instead of a swift crackdown, the team found itself surrounded by a large group of drug peddlers and their accomplices. In the ensuing melee, SHO Singh and Sub-Inspector Abrar Mirza suffered critical injuries, while Head Constable Abdul Gani was also hurt. The other two constables escaped and raised an alarm, leading to reinforcement deployment.

All injured personnel were initially admitted to GMC Jammu. SHO Singh and SI Mirza have since been airlifted to Amritsar for specialised treatment, underlining the grave nature of their injuries.

Criminal Nexus: More Than Just Drug Peddling

This incident has laid bare the multifaceted threat posed by drug syndicates, which are reportedly operating with increasing impunity across Jammu and Samba. According to local sources and law enforcement inputs, these criminal elements have occupied stretches of state land and set up makeshift laboratories to produce synthetic drugs such as chitta using chemical injections and compounds, many of which are sourced illegally. The dangerous concoctions have led to multiple cases of overdose and fatalities among the youth.

The situation is further aggravated by their alleged links with terror outfits. Several senior BJP leaders, including the local MLA, have openly spoken about the involvement of these peddlers in aiding cross-border narcotic smuggling and acting as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) for terrorists—facilitating their safe passage, logistics, and even harboring them in return for money or drugs.

There is also a growing trend of stolen two-wheelers and mobile phones being exchanged for drugs. Police have confirmed the recovery of multiple stolen vehicles during recent raids on drug hideouts, revealing how petty criminals, including bike lifters, are feeding the drug supply chain in return for narcotic substances.

Fear and Frustration Among Locals:

Locals residing in near by areas to Balol Khad have expressed fear and frustration over the unchecked rise of these criminal networks. Many have stopped venturing out after dark, and there’s growing concern that the area could soon become a full-blown hub of narco-terrorism if not dealt with firmly and urgently.

Accountability and Action: The Way Forward

The brutal assault on police officers must serve as a wake-up call for law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Key questions remain unanswered:

• Why were adequate reinforcements not arranged for an operation targeting a known hotspot?

• Were intelligence inputs shared with other agencies and acted upon in coordination?

• How have drug cartels managed to establish such strongholds on state land without administrative intervention?

There is a growing demand from civil society and political representatives for the following steps:

1. Comprehensive Crackdown: Launch of a sustained anti-narcotics drive involving J&K Police, Narcotics Control Bureau, and Anti-Terrorism Squad.

2. Land Reclamation: Immediate eviction of illegal occupants from state land, especially in sensitive areas like Balol Khad.

3. Asset Seizure and Deterrence: Confiscation of movable and immovable property of drug peddlers under NDPS and UAPA provisions.

4. Community Surveillance: Involvement of local mohalla committees in identifying suspicious activities.

5. Youth Rehabilitation: Establishment of de-addiction and skill-building centres for affected youth.

6. Special Forces Deployment: Formation of a dedicated anti-drug task force for Samba, Rajeev Nagar, and Kathua districts.

The path ahead is challenging. But if swift, coordinated action is not taken now, the region risks sliding deeper into a dangerous mix of narco-crime and militancy—threatening both internal security and societal harmony.
Office of LG, J&K
Omar Abdullah
Sunil Sharma
Sat Sharma CA
Deputy CM Surinder choudhary
Ankur Sharma
Chander Parkash Ganga
Surjit Singh Slathia
Jammu and Kashmir
Mehraj Malik
Raman Bhalla
Sakina Itoo
BJP Jammu & Kashmir
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