Amritsar, Feb 24 (IANS): Border Security Force (BSF) troopers recovered 10 kg of suspected heroin following an encounter with smugglers from Pakistan side in the Amritsar sector, BSF officials said here Monday.

The seizure was made near border outpost (BOP) Rajatal in Amritsar sector, 35 km from here, a BSF spokesman said.

The heroin is estimated to be valued at Rs.50 crore in the international market.

"BSF personnel at outpost Rajatal in Amritsar sector observed suspicious movement of smugglers along the border security fence. The smugglers were challenged, but they did not stop their activity. The BSF troopers fired in self defence," the spokesman said.

"However, the smugglers managed to escape back to Pakistan taking advantage of the night and dense fog," the spokesman added.

The recovery of contraband was made following a search operation carried out Monday morning. The spot is located 300 metres inside the Indian territory.

Amritsar is around 250 km from Chandigarh.

With the latest seizure, the BSF has recovered 92 kg of heroin this year. Last year the BSF seized 322 kg of heroin in the Punjab sector.