Jaipur, August 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A joint operation by Indian Army intelligence units and Rajasthan Police has uncovered an alleged network involved in the unauthorised sale of Army-pattern combat fabric in Sriganganagar district, with officials seizing nearly 1,000 metres of counterfeit combat cloth from multiple shops.
The action was initiated after similar unauthorised Army-pattern fabric was seized in Bareilly in June, during which investigators traced a possible supply link to a manufacturing source in Sriganganagar. Based on the intelligence inputs, Army officials carried out a discreet investigation and identified a local firm allegedly involved in supplying restricted-pattern combat cloth to retailers in the district.
An interim investigation report was shared with Rajasthan Police in mid-July, leading to a coordinated operation on July 30. Army intelligence personnel and police teams conducted searches at several locations across Sriganganagar town, Lalgarh Jattan, Suratgarh and nearby areas.
During the raids, authorities recovered counterfeit combat fabric along with Army-related items, including boots, caps, laces and other accessories. Officials said the unauthorised possession, sale or use of military-pattern uniforms is a punishable offence and could pose a security threat if misused for impersonating armed forces personnel.
Sriganganagar Kotwali Police Station SHO Tejwant Singh Barar said the raids were conducted after Army Intelligence alerted police about the open sale of fabric resembling the Indian Army’s restricted digital-pattern combat uniform. Several shops on Railway Station Road, including Army-themed tailoring and retail outlets, were searched during the operation.
Preliminary investigation revealed that uniforms made from the restricted-pattern fabric were allegedly being sold in markets at prices ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000.
Investigators are examining the wider supply chain, which allegedly extends to Delhi’s Azad Market (Mahalaxmi Market), where hundreds of shops deal in Army uniform fabric. Officials suspect that some suppliers may have provided restricted-pattern material to retailers and tailors without required authorisation.
According to investigators, the Army’s new digital camouflage pattern introduced in 2023 is protected under Intellectual Property Rights and is supplied only through authorised channels, including the Army’s controlled procurement system and Canteen Stores Department outlets.
Officials said the matter assumes greater significance due to Sriganganagar’s location near the India-Pakistan border, warning that unauthorised military-style uniforms could potentially be misused by anti-national elements.
The investigation into the role of individual shop owners and other suspected suppliers is ongoing.
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