Amritsar, Jan 19 (IANS): Border Security Force (BSF) personnel seized 17 kg of heroin along with arms and ammunition following a run-in with smugglers near the international border in Amritsar sector, an official said here Sunday.

The seizure was made near the Daoke border outpost, a BSF spokesman said.

The heroin has been valued at Rs.85 crore in the international market.

"BSF personnel at the Daoke outpost in Amritsar sector observed some suspicious movement of smugglers along the border security fence. They were trying to insert a plastic pipe," the spokesman said.

The BSF personnel ordered the smugglers to stop but they did not pay any heed and opened fire at them. Though the BSF troopers retaliated, the smugglers managed to escape to Pakistan taking advantage of the dense fog, he said.

The contraband was found during a search operation carried out after daybreak Sunday.

Two pistols and ammunition were also found.

On Saturday, the BSF seized four kg of heroin in Ferozepur sector, taking the total seizure this year to 26 kg, the spokesman said.

In 2013, the BSF seized over 322 kg of heroin, the highest in recent years.