In a significant joint operation, security forces apprehended a fugitive Indian Army soldier accused of espionage and narcotics smuggling while he was attempting to flee across the international border. The arrest underscores the persistent security challenges in the porous border regions.
Dawn Raid at the Border Nets Fugitive Soldier
Rajbir Singh, also known as Fauji, was captured in the early hours of Saturday near Raxaul, a key town along the India-Nepal frontier in East Champaran district. The operation was a coordinated effort between the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police and the East Champaran district police. Acting on precise intelligence, teams intensified surveillance and successfully intercepted Singh before he could cross over into Nepal.
During the arrest, authorities made a critical seizure. A live hand grenade and 500 grams of heroin were recovered from Singh's possession. This discovery pointed to a dangerous nexus between espionage activities and the narcotics trade, with potential links to funding terrorism.
From Soldier to Spy: A Traitor's Journey
The background of the accused reveals a troubling path of betrayal. Rajbir Singh, a resident of Amritsar, had joined the Indian Army in 2011. However, his allegiance shifted dramatically. Police investigations indicate that he first established contact with Pakistani intelligence handlers in 2022 via social media platforms. Over time, he began transmitting sensitive and confidential information related to the Army to these foreign agents.
His illicit activities caught the attention of security agencies, leading to a formal case. In February 2025, an espionage case was registered against him and his associates under the stringent Official Secrets Act at the Gharinda police station in Amritsar. Facing imminent arrest, Singh chose to desert his military post in the same month and vanished, marking the beginning of his life as a fugitive.
Expanding Network and Cross-Border Flight
After deserting, Singh did not lay low. Police allege he was actively working to expand his network by recruiting others into the fold of espionage and drug trafficking. The dual trade of narcotics and weapons was allegedly a method to promote and fund terrorist activities, creating a severe multi-layered threat.
Following the registration of the espionage case, he fled to Nepal and remained in hiding. His plan, as per police inputs, was to eventually escape to a third country. East Champaran Superintendent of Police Swarn Prabhat confirmed that specific intelligence from the Punjab SSOC alerted them that the accused was lurking near the border and could attempt to cross at any moment. This tip-off triggered the successful joint operation that culminated in his arrest at Raxaul.
Post-arrest, Rajbir Singh was swiftly transported to Punjab on a transit remand on Saturday itself. He is currently undergoing in-depth interrogation by security agencies who are focused on a crucial objective: unraveling his entire network and tracing all its connections, especially those operating in the sensitive border areas. This investigation aims to dismantle the support structure he built and prevent further breaches of national security.
