A joint operation by the Indian Army and Rajasthan Police has busted an alleged counterfeit military uniform supply network in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district, leading to the seizure of nearly 1,000 metres of unauthorised Army-pattern combat cloth from multiple shops.
The operation stemmed from an earlier seizure of counterfeit combat cloth in Bareilly in June, which investigators traced back to a manufacturing source in Sriganganagar. Based on this lead, intelligence units of the Indian Army launched a discreet investigation to identify those involved in the alleged supply chain.
Probe Led To Coordinated Raids
According to officials, the investigation identified a local firm as a key link in the network allegedly supplying counterfeit Army-pattern combat cloth to shops in Sriganganagar town, Lalgarh Jattan, Suratgarh and other nearby markets.
An interim investigation report was shared with Rajasthan Police in mid-July, following which a joint operation was planned.
On July 30, Army intelligence personnel and Rajasthan Police conducted coordinated searches at multiple shops across Sriganganagar district. During the raids, officials seized around 1,000 metres of unauthorised new-pattern counterfeit combat cloth.
Security Risk
Officials said the unauthorised possession, sale or use of military-pattern combat cloth is a punishable offence. They also warned that the circulation of counterfeit military uniforms poses a serious security risk as such material could be misused for the impersonation of armed forces personnel.
The joint operation exposed what investigators believe to be a wider network involved in supplying counterfeit Army-pattern combat cloth to vendors across the region. Further investigation into the supply chain is underway.