AMRITSAR, March 12 -- The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested the sarpanch of Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district with 18kg heroin.

According to people familiar with the matter, Paramjit Singh, also president of the village defence committee (VDC), formed by the Punjab government under its anti-drug drive "Yudh Nashian Virudh', was arrested in a case registered at the NCB police station in Amritsar. Another accused in the case is absconding.

According to information, Paramjit was arrested on Tuesday morning from Kakkar village of Amritsar rural. The NCB's preliminary probe reveals that he has links with Pakistan-based smugglers who sent the narcotics through drones from across the border, said people privy to the probe.

The ...