A joint operation by Indian Army intelligence units and the Rajasthan Police has uncovered a counterfeit military uniform cloth supply network in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district. During coordinated raids, officials seized nearly 1,000 metres of unauthorised Army-pattern combat fabric from several shops, saying the material closely resembled the cloth used for military uniforms.
Raids conducted across Sriganganagar
On 30th July, searches were carried out after Army intelligence shared the findings of its investigation with the Rajasthan Police earlier in July. Acting on the information, police teams and security personnel raided multiple shops across Sriganganagar district and recovered a large quantity of new-pattern combat cloth that was not authorised for sale or use.
Officials said the seized fabric matched the design used in Army combat uniforms, making its unauthorised circulation a matter of serious concern.
Investigation began after Bareilly seizure
The operation was launched after investigators followed a lead from an earlier seizure of counterfeit combat cloth in Bareilly in June. During that investigation, officials traced the supply chain to a manufacturing source in Sriganganagar.
Based on this information, Indian Army intelligence units carried out a discreet inquiry and identified a local firm that emerged as a key link in the network supplying fake Army-pattern combat fabric.
According to officials, the firm was distributing the counterfeit cloth to shopkeepers in Sriganganagar town as well as markets in Lalgarh Jattan, Suratgarh and nearby areas.
Security agencies probe wider network
Officials said the case is being treated seriously because unauthorised military-pattern fabric can be misused by people pretending to be members of the armed forces. Such impersonation can create security risks and may be used to carry out unlawful activities.
Authorities also said that possessing, selling or using Army-pattern combat cloth without authorisation is a punishable offence under the law. Investigators are now trying to find out how large the supply network is and whether the counterfeit military-pattern fabric was being sent to other states apart from Rajasthan.
Officials are examining the entire supply chain, including the source of production and the distribution channels, to identify everyone involved in the operation. More action may follow as the investigation progresses and additional links in the network are uncovered.
