Silver Smuggling Attempt Foiled at Panitanki Nepal Border

 

Panitanki, West Bengal | 29 January 2026 : A major smuggling attempt involving silver granules weighing 9.975 kilograms was successfully intercepted at the Indo–Nepal Border (INB) near Panitanki, following a targeted intelligence-led operation.

Based on specific inputs and corroborative intelligence received from DRI Siliguri, a special checking operation was conducted at BIT Panitanki under the leadership of SI/GD Vikramsingh Choudhary, supported by four personnel from C Coy Panitanki.

At approximately 1245 hours, a woman matching the suspect profile was intercepted at Panitanki Old Bridge, located about 400 meters from the Indo–Nepal Border. A thorough search of her handbag led to the recovery of suspected silver granules.

The apprehended individual identified herself as Devi Klla Khadka (45 years), a resident of District Jhapa, Nepal. During preliminary interrogation, she admitted that the silver had been handed over to her by an unknown Indian national at Bagdogra for delivery to a contact in Nepal. She further disclosed that she was promised NPR 4,000 for the task and confessed to having carried out similar activities in the past.

Seizure Details

Location: BIT Old Bridge, Panitanki

Operation Type: Special Search Operation

Smuggling Route: India to Nepal

Intelligence Source: Coy Commander (INT)

Items Seized

Silver granules: 9.975 kg

Mobile handset: Vivo Y35 (01 No.) with dual SIM cards

Jio (India)

Ncell (Nepal)

Apprehended Person

Name: Devi Klla Khadka

Age/Gender: 45 years / Female

Spouse: W/O Mun Bahadur Khadka

Address: Khotang, District Jhapa, Nepal

The seizure and weighing of the contraband were conducted in the presence of DRI officials, SSB personnel, and independent witnesses, ensuring full procedural transparency.

The apprehended woman, along with the seized silver and associated items, was handed over to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Siliguri, Darjeeling (West Bengal) on 29 January 2026 for further legal proceedings.

Operational Significance

This successful operation underscores the strength of intelligence-driven coordination and the continued commitment of field formations to safeguard national economic interests and prevent cross-border smuggling.

Silver smuggling at Indo-Nepal border,

Panitanki silver seizure,

Silver granules seized in Panitanki,

Cross-border silver smuggling,

DRI Siliguri silver seizure,

Indo-Nepal border security,

Special search operation Panitanki,

Woman courier apprehended with silver,

Smuggling route India to Nepal,

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence operation,

Border Intelligence operation 

Illegal silver trafficking,

Panitanki Old Bridge seizure,

Economic offence enforcement,

Silver smuggling case West Bengal

9.975 kg silver granules seized at Panitanki 

Silver smuggling attempt foiled near Indo-Nepal border,

DRI Siliguri intelligence-led seizure 

Woman arrested with silver granules at Panitanki,

India to Nepal silver smuggling network,

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