Harare, The Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) of Zimbabwe has apprehended several individuals from India, including retired Colonel Sidhu Sarup Singh, for their involvement in a range of illegal activities.

According to Kashmir Media Service, these individuals, including the retired colonel, were caught participating in the illicit trade of arms, medicine, gold, and lithium. The arrests were part of a broader crackdown on illegal trading within the country. Sidhu Sarup Singh has previously served in the Armed Indian Special Forces Unit (AISFU).

Media outlets reported that numerous former officers of AISFU, including Sidhu, have entered Zimbabwe under the guise of investors and tourists. These individuals are accused of exploiting Zimbabwe’s resources through unlawful trading activities.

Zimbabwean authorities reportedly caught the Indian nationals red-handed, distributing unlicensed drugs manufactured in India, posing serious health risks to the population.

In recent weeks, the Zimbabwean government has deported 11 Indians linked to illegal activities, with plans to deport an additional 19 individuals implicated in such crimes. Among those identified is an Indian businessman, Ashok Jain, believed to be at the forefront of these illicit business operations in Zimbabwe.

The apprehension of the retired Indian colonel and his associates sheds light on the activities of an Indian armed forces unit allegedly involved in the gold and chemical sectors in Zimbabwe. This unit reportedly has easy access to critical raw materials and operates in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, a region known for its ongoing conflict with rebels.

The incident has sparked concerns over the presence and activities of foreign military units in Zimbabwe, highlighting the complex web of illegal trade practices that span across borders and affect the local economy and safety.