Chandigarh, Jan 8 (IANS): Following a joint ambush near the international border with Pakistan, BSF troopers and the Punjab Police counter intelligence wing on Monday recovered 5 kg of heroin along the international border with Pakistan in the Ferozepur sector.

The recovery was made following a search carried out in the area of border out post (BoP) Barreke in Ferozepur sector, around 300 km from Chandigarh, on Monday, a Border Security Force spokesman said.

The recovery was made following a joint special ambush by BSF troops and the counter intelligence wing.

BSF troopers had observed suspicious movement ahead of the border security fence early on Monday. When the smugglers from Pakistan tried to carry out their smuggling activity, the BSF troopers challenged them and opened fire

However, the smugglers escaped from the spot towards Pakistan, taking advantage of the darkness and dense fog in the border belt.

The spokesman said that the area was cordoned off and a search was carried out later on Monday following which the heroin was recovered.

The recovered heroin is valued at over Rs 25 crore in the international market.

The BSF recovered over 230 kg of heroin along the international boundary with Pakistan in 2018.

Punjab shares a 553-km long international border, with a barbed wire fence, with Pakistan.