Bajrang Singh, a former elite NSG commando involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror response, has been detained by Rajasthan police for allegedly masterminding a large-scale cannabis trafficking ring. The joint efforts of the state’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) led to his arrest last week in Ratangarh, Churu district, where authorities seized close to 200 kilograms of ganja.
Where is Bajrang Singh from?
Originally from the Sikar district village of Karanga, Bajrang dropped out after Class 10 and joined the Border Security Force. His physical prowess earned him a place in the National Security Guard, where he served for seven years in counterterror operations, notably taking part in the 2008 Taj Hotel siege during the 26/11 attacks. After retiring in 2021, he attempted to enter local politics by supporting his wife’s candidacy in village elections, but the bid was unsuccessful.
Following his political defeat, Bajrang reportedly forged ties with criminal networks involved in drug trafficking. Leveraging his prior contacts in Odisha and Telangana, he expanded from small drug deals to leading an extensive smuggling operation funneling cannabis into Rajasthan. According to police, his criminal activities made him a key player in a broader terror-narcotics nexus.
Inspector General Vikas Kumar stated, “This operation was a result of weeks of planning and intelligence sharing. The arrest of a hardened operative like Bajrang is a significant achievement in neutralising the terror-narcotics nexus in Rajasthan.” Authorities tracked Bajrang for two months in an operation codenamed ‘Gaanjaney,’ during which they monitored his movements through technical surveillance and informants.
Cautious Drug Kingpin Caught Through Cook’s Leads
Bajrang was known to be highly cautious, frequently changing locations, avoiding mobile phone use, and employing fake IDs to dodge law enforcement. His trusted cook’s communication links eventually helped police pinpoint Bajrang’s hideout. The police followed Bajrang discreetly before arresting him in a well-executed raid.
In 2023, Bajrang was also arrested near Hyderabad with a similar quantity of cannabis. Officials believe his involvement signals the dangerous intersection of drug trafficking with potential security threats.
Currently, Bajrang is under interrogation as investigators probe deeper into his network, including possible cross-border and terror-financing connections. Police are hopeful this arrest will help dismantle one of the region’s major drug syndicates.
