Ferozepur (Punjab), Feb 7 (IANS): BSF troopers on Sunday shot dead four smugglers, including two Pakistanis, in Punjab's Ferozepur sector and seized nearly 10 kg heroin, a senior BSF officer said.

The Border Security Force troopers also seized arms and ammunition from the spot. These included two 9 mm pistols, one locally-made pistol and 54 rounds of ammunition, a Pakistani SIM card, a knife, a PVC pipe and other things.

A search of the area, about 300 km from Chandigarh, later led to the seizure of the contraband.

"Around 4.30 a.m., Pakistani and Indian smugglers (total numbering four) opened fire on BSF troopers near Border outpost (BoP) Mehndipur in Ferozepur sector. The BSF troopers returned the fire in which two Indian and two Pakistani smugglers were interdicted. The bodies were recovered later during a search of the area. The local police was informed," said BSF Deputy Inspector General R.S. Kataria said.

The seized heroin is valued at Rs.50 crore in the international market.

The BSF has recovered nearly 18 kg heroin in the Punjab sector, comprising the 553-km long international border with Pakistan in the state, this year.