The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday carried out raids at 12 locations across four states as part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected cross-border weapons smuggling network with alleged links to Pakistan-based operatives. The coordinated searches were conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Maharashtra.
According to officials, the raids targeted premises linked to individuals suspected of helping facilitate the illegal movement of arms and explosives into India. Sources said the operation is connected to a wider conspiracy involving Pakistan-based handler Jasvir Chaudhary and his Indian associates. Investigators believe the network was planning terror-related activities, including possible bomb attacks in Punjab, Delhi and other parts of the country.
The NIA reportedly conducted searches at five locations in Uttar Pradesh, three in Maharashtra and two each in Bihar and Rajasthan. Teams seized electronic devices, documents and other materials during the raids. Officials said the evidence collected would help identify more members and financial links connected to the smuggling network.
The agency has been intensifying its crackdown on organised cross-border smuggling and terror-linked networks over the past few years. Investigators suspect that weapons were being routed into India through illegal channels and distributed with the support of local operatives. The NIA is also probing whether the network had links with extremist organisations and sleeper cells operating in different states.
Officials have not yet disclosed the names of the suspects or confirmed any arrests in Friday’s operation. However, sources indicated that several people are being questioned and more raids could follow in the coming days based on the information recovered during the searches.
The latest action comes amid growing concerns over the use of smuggling routes for transporting arms, explosives and narcotics across borders. Security agencies have repeatedly warned about attempts by terror groups and criminal syndicates to expand their networks inside India using local support systems and illegal trafficking channels.
