Bikaner, Rajasthan: The desert city of Bikaner witnessed chaos on Friday when Military Intelligence and Kotgate Police carried out a joint operation. During surprise raids in the city’s busiest markets, a large quantity of army uniform fabric was seized. The operation took place in the Kotgate police station area, covering Subhash Marg (formerly Jinnah Road) and the main Kotgate Market.
Several establishments came under the scanner during this sudden raid, including Subhash Footwear Shop and the Three Brothers’ store. Video documentation of the recovered fabric was carried out to ensure authenticity for further legal proceedings.
Military Intelligence Warning
Military Intelligence officials clarified that selling army uniform fabric in open markets is against central government guidelines. Unauthorized sale of such fabric poses a grave threat to national security.
“Replicating or selling army uniforms without monitoring is strictly prohibited. Open sale of this fabric could benefit terrorists or anti-social elements, who might disguise themselves as soldiers to infiltrate, carry out terror attacks, or sabotage,” a senior military officer said.
The officer stressed that the uniform is not just clothing but a symbol of the Indian Army’s identity and public trust. Its misuse could endanger the entire security framework.
Bikaner Youth Under Probe
According to police sources, the name of a youth, Anish Kumar (23), son of Kishan Kumar, resident of JNV Colony (opposite Gurudwara), Bikaner, has surfaced in this operation. It is not yet clear whether he was directly involved in the sale or was just part of the supply chain.
However, the Army has not yet filed a formal FIR. Only after the report is lodged will the seized fabric be sealed and presented as evidence in court. For now, the stock remains under joint supervision of police and military officials.
Heavy Police Deployment for Security
Considering the sensitivity of the operation, heavy police deployment was placed on-site. Although a large crowd gathered during the raid, the security cordon was strong enough to prevent any major disturbance. The removal and packing of the seized fabric were carried out under strict supervision by police and Military Intelligence.
A Serious Threat to National Security
Experts are deeply alarmed by the discovery of army uniform fabric in local markets. They believe such fabric can be used to prepare fake uniforms, enabling terrorists or criminals to impersonate soldiers.
India has witnessed several such attacks, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorists disguised in army uniforms attacked security forces or civilians. In such cases, distinguishing between real and fake personnel becomes difficult, leading to severe consequences for both the public and security forces.
Questions on Police and Administration
While the operation is considered significant, questions are being raised about how such fabric was openly sold in a strategically important and sensitive city like Bikaner. Critics are blaming the negligence of local police and administration.
The biggest criticism remains the delay in filing an official FIR. Experts argue that until swift legal action is taken, this raid will be seen only as a symbolic move.
A Major Concern for Rajasthan
This incident in Bikaner is not an isolated one. In recent years, fake army uniforms and fabric have been found in Rajasthan and other border states. Given Rajasthan’s long international border and military establishments, the region is considered highly sensitive.
Bikaner, home to the Mahajan Field Firing Range and other key military facilities, holds strategic importance. The presence of an illegal trade in army uniform fabric here is a major alarm for security agencies.
The Road Ahead
All eyes are now on when the Army will lodge an official report and how far police investigations will uncover the network behind this trade. It also remains to be seen whether the fabric was manufactured locally or supplied through a larger chain.
What is clear for now is that this is not just about cloth, but about protecting the identity of Indian soldiers. As a retired military officer put it:
“An army uniform is not just fabric, it carries the honor of the soldier and the trust of the nation’s people. When it falls into the wrong hands, the entire security system is put at risk.”
