Punjab’s sweeping anti-narcotics campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh (War Against Drugs), has led to the arrest of more than 22,000 drug traffickers over the past 138 days, according to senior police officials.
On Thursday alone, 113 smugglers were arrested during a state-wide operation, which also resulted in the seizure of 1.5 kilograms of heroin, 5 kilograms of opium, and over 31,000 intoxicant tablets.
Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said the Punjab Police, under the special campaign, have maintained consistent pressure on drug networks operating across the state.
A total of 433 locations were raided by over 180 police teams, comprising more than 1,300 personnel and supervised by 93 gazetted officers. These coordinated raids led to the registration of 81 FIRs and the detention of 483 individuals for verification.
Also read: Another life lost to drugs in Punjab’s Tarn Taran
“The state government has adopted a three-pronged strategy, Enforcement, De-addiction and Prevention (EDP), in its pursuit to make Punjab drug-free,” Shukla said.
To ensure close monitoring of the campaign, the government has also constituted a five-member cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Officials said the initiative has intensified in both urban and rural belts, with the focus on disrupting smuggling routes, dismantling supply chains, and increasing awareness at the grassroots.
Police officials indicated that many of the arrested smugglers had links with larger interstate drug cartels and that operations will continue with increased momentum in the coming weeks.
The campaign has also emphasised post-arrest de-addiction support, with district police units coordinating closely with rehabilitation centres to assist addicts in breaking free from substance dependence.
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