Indian troops shot dead three alleged Pakistani smugglers carrying drugs worth millions of dollars as they sought to sneak into India through Punjab, a border security official claimed Saturday. India's paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF), which patrols the India-Pakistan border, said it found 24 kilograms of heroin worth 1.2 billion rupees ($19.5 million), along with weapons, ammunition and Pakistan mobile phones late Friday.
"Last night, three Pakistani intruders crossed over to the Indian territory and were challenged by the BSF night patrol, but the intruders declined to surrender and fired gun shots at the BSF," Ajay Tomar, Punjab BSF Inspector General, told reporters. "In retaliation, BSF troops fired 19 rounds and the intruders were killed on the spot."