Fazilka, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Fazilka Police have arrested 1,331 people in 924 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act during the past eight months as part of the Punjab Police’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, with 41.124 kg of heroin among the drugs seized.
The crackdown also resulted in the recovery of 3.85 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 6.503 kg of opium, 42 grams of charas, 250.537 kg of poppy husk and 15,843 intoxicating capsules and tablets. Police also impounded 38 vehicles allegedly used for drug trafficking.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the district had recorded significant progress against drug trafficking and abuse, while rehabilitation efforts were being pursued alongside enforcement.
According to the DGP, 252 people have been admitted to de-addiction centres, 1,809 referred to Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres and 141 covered under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act.
Fazilka SSP Gagan Ajit Singh said the police had also intensified action against associates of organised gangs under the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign. Ten cases have been registered under the Arms Act, resulting in 15 arrests and the seizure of 25 pistols, one country-made pistol, 32 magazines, 52 live cartridges and three drones.
The district police conducted 99 Project Sampark meetings and 334 anti-drug awareness camps and seminars to strengthen community participation. Awareness programmes also covered the 1930 helpline and the cybercrime.gov.in portal for reporting cyber offences.
For round-the-clock policing, 21 Emergency Response Vehicles linked to the 112 helpline have been deployed with 102 personnel, besides five PCR motorcycles staffed by 10 personnel. Seven permanent night checkpoints have also been established at strategic entry and exit points, with 39 personnel deployed.
Traffic enforcement resulted in 23,804 challans, 921 vehicle impoundments and 173 cash challans involving fines totalling Rs 1,70,600. Preventive policing measures led to 976 people being detained and 545 bound down.
Technology is also being used extensively in investigations. The Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS) is being used for identity verification, while the VAHAN database enables instant vehicle verification. A Digital Forensic Laboratory has been established to examine seized mobile phones, electronic devices and other digital evidence.
Singh said CCTV surveillance and technology-driven intelligence had improved crime detection and investigations. NATGRID and open-source applications such as Anveshak are being used to trace suspects and absconders. He cited the arrest of absconding murder convict Sandeep Tomar from Madhya Pradesh with NATGRID assistance and said the system had also supported operations against cross-border drug-smuggling networks.
Under the crackdown on cross-border smuggling, Fazilka Police have registered 16 cases and arrested 11 accused. The operations resulted in the seizure of 26.822 kg of heroin, one pistol, five magazines, 13 live cartridges and one drone.
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