Patiala Police Arrest 31 in CASO at 19 Drug Hotspots Under ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ Campaign

Patiala Police, in coordination with the district civil administration, conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at 19 identified drug hotspots on Saturday under the Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign. The operation resulted in 31 arrests, the registration of 28 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the recovery of heroin and other suspected narcotic substances.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans personally led the operation, which targeted drug traffickers and anti-social elements. Superintendent of Police (City) Mohit Aggarwal was also present.

The operation was conducted in accordance with directions issued by the Special Director General of Police, Law and Order, Punjab, and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Patiala Range, Kuldeep Singh Chahal.

Police teams, backed by a substantial force, carried out searches at identified drug hotspots in Ablowal and Bharat Nagar in Patiala. Separate teams also conducted searches at 18 other hotspots across various subdivisions of the district.

SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans said the operation led to the recovery of 46 grams of heroin, 53 grams of narcotic powder, 160 intoxicant tablets and 30 grams of sulfa.

He said such search operations would continue regularly as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking in the district. He added that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in the narcotics trade.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal said the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, launched by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, aims to curb drug trafficking and ensure legal action against those involved in the illegal narcotics trade.

The district administration and police said coordinated enforcement efforts would continue to tackle drug-related activities across Patiala.