Munish Sood
Mandi: In a major breakthrough against the drug supply network, police have arrested a 30‑year‑old Army soldier from Mandi district with 23 grams of chitta (heroin). The accused’s father is a retired Assistant Sub‑Inspector (ASI) of Himachal Pradesh Police.
The accused, identified as Satish Kumar, resident of Tanehar village in Dharampur, was intercepted late Thursday night when a joint team of Jogindernagar and Padhar police stopped his Seltos car during a naka on the Mandi–Pathankot National Highway near Padhar.
Police revealed that Satish Kumar had been under surveillance for suspected involvement in drug supply in the Jogindernagar subdivision. Acting on inputs, his vehicle was searched, leading to the recovery of 23 grams of heroin. He was arrested on the spot and taken to Padhar Police Station, where an FIR was registered under the NDPS Act.
Mandi Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar confirmed the arrest and said the accused would be produced before court on Friday. Additional SP Abhimanyu Verma noted that the accused appeared nervous when questioned, prompting the search that uncovered the contraband.
Investigations are now focused on tracing the source of the heroin and identifying the wider network involved in its transportation and supply. Police indicated that further arrests may follow if more individuals are found connected to the case.
