- 3 arrested near Indo-China Border, Chinese Food items recovered
Yash Khajuria
Leh, July 10: In a historic operation, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has seized approximately 108 kilograms of gold near India-China border in the Hanley region of Ladakh, marking the largest single seizure of gold in the region’s history.
Three people have been arrested in this connection, while the seizure also included two mobile phones, a binocular, two knives and several Chinese food items like cakes and milk, officials added.
The gold has been recovered in the form of 108 bars, each weighing one kilogram.
“This is the biggest haul of gold recovered by ITBP in its history. The seized material will be handed over to the customs department,” an official of the border guarding force said on Wednesday.
The operation was conducted by the 21st Battalion of the ITBP, which had launched a Long Range Patrolling (LRP) mission in the southern sub-sector of eastern Ladakh. The mission targeted areas such as Chismule, Narbula Top, Zakle, and Zakla to monitor infiltration and smuggling activities, which tend to surge during the summer months.
The ITBP has also got inputs of smuggling in Sriraple, one kilometre from the Line of Actual Control, he said, adding that the patrolling party headed by deputy commandant Deepak Bhat noticed two people on mules and asked them to stop.
The suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended and taken to the patrol’s camping area for questioning.
Initially, the suspects claimed they were collecting medicinal plants. However, a thorough search revealed a substantial quantity of gold and other items.
The seized items included 108 international gold bars weighing a total of 108.060 kilograms, two mobile phones, a binocular, various Chinese food items, knives, ponies, a torch, a hammer, and a nose plier.
The smugglers, identified as Tenzin Targy (40) and Tsering Chamba (approximately 69), both Indian nationals, were taken into custody. The ITBP team reported the incident to Commandant Ajay Nirmalkar of the 21st Battalion via satellite phone, who directed them to ensure the safe custody of the suspects and the precious metal.
Following standard protocols, the patrol party transported the suspects and the seized items to the Tactical Headquarters in Koyul.
One more person was arrested in connection with the recovery and all the three arrested persons are being interrogated jointly by ITBP and Police, the official said.
The ITBP, authorized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to conduct searches and seizures, handed over the suspects and the gold to the Customs Department for further investigation.
The operation, planned by Sector Headquarters (SHQ) Srinagar, ITBP, with approval from Headquarters North-West Frontier, was part of a broader initiative involving several simultaneous patrols in the region.
Joint interrogation of the suspects will be carried out by the Civil Police, Intelligence Bureau, customs and ITBP. The seizure along with the suspects have been handed over to custom department officers for further questioning and needful action as enshrined in the law. The ITBP said it has tightened vigilance along the border to prevent such illegal activities.
The matter has been reported to higher headquarters and further investigation and action is in progress in coordination with sister organizations. Further investigation is underway to uncover the source and intended destination of the seized gold.
