Ex-NSG Commando of 26/11 Fame Turns Drug Lord, Arrested

A former National Security Guard (NSG) commando, once celebrated for his bravery during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has been arrested as the kingpin of a major ganja smuggling racket in Rajasthan. Bajrang Singh, a resident of Sikar district, was apprehended on Wednesday night in Churu with 200 kg of the banned drug, Rajasthan Police announced.

Inspector General of Police Vikas Kumar revealed that Singh orchestrated the smuggling of ganja from Telangana and Odisha into Rajasthan. The arrest, a culmination of two months of relentless pursuit under 'Operation Gaanjaney' by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), marks a significant blow to the drug trafficking network. Singh, who carried a Rs 25,000 reward, had been evading capture by using fake mobile IDs and hiding in remote villages.

Bajrang Singh, a tall and physically fit individual, joined the Border Security Force (BSF) after discontinuing his education post-Class 10. His service in Punjab, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, and West Bengal showcased his dedication to national security, earning him a coveted spot in the NSG. As an elite commando, he served for seven years, including during the 2008 Mumbai anti-terror operation.

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However, Singh's trajectory took a drastic turn after he left the NSG. In 2021, he returned to his village in Rajasthan, diving into politics and aligning with a political party. He even supported his wife’s candidacy in local elections, though she was unsuccessful.

Singh’s foray into politics introduced him to individuals with criminal connections, luring him into the lucrative ganja trade. Leveraging his BSF experience and contacts in Odisha and Telangana, he quickly rose to prominence in the drug smuggling underworld, dealing in large consignments of ganja. His operations involved transporting quintals of the banned substance across state borders, a high-risk endeavor that led to multiple cases against him, including a 2023 arrest near Hyderabad for smuggling two quintals of ganja.

The ATS and ANTF tracked Singh for two months, uncovering his role as a mastermind in the ganja trade. Despite his efforts to remain elusive, a breakthrough came through technical intelligence gathered from his cook’s communications, which led police to Ratangarh in Churu. Aware of Singh’s commando training, the police avoided immediate confrontation, instead tailing him to his hideouts. A meticulously planned raid on Wednesday night resulted in his arrest.

“This operation showcases our commitment to dismantling the terror-narcotics nexus. Capturing a seasoned operative like Singh is a major victory,” said IGP Kumar. Singh’s fall from a national hero to a drug trafficking kingpin serves as a stark reminder of how even decorated individuals can succumb to the allure of crime.

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