CHANDIGARH, June 21 — In a coordinated offensive against drug traffickers and illegal liquor smugglers, the Punjab Police on Friday launched a special operation across 10 inter-state border districts, targeting vehicles entering or exiting the state.
The day-long operation, conducted from 6 am to 2 pm, involved joint naka checkpoints at 93 strategic entry and exit points of districts sharing borders with neighbouring states and Chandigarh.
“This action was part of a broader initiative to seal the state’s borders against organised smuggling networks,” said Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla. He said over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of inspectors and DSPs, were deployed for the operation.
The districts covered were Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Rupanagar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, and Bathinda.
According to police, 3,180 vehicles were checked, leading to 367 challans and seven vehicles impounded.
Simultaneously, the police continued their statewide Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) under the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” anti-drug campaign, which entered its 111th day on Friday. Raids were conducted at 505 locations, leading to the arrest of 127 drug smugglers and registration of 98 FIRs.
The campaign has seen 18,372 arrests so far, a police statement said.
Friday’s raids yielded 4.2 kg of heroin, 3 kg opium, 118 kg poppy husk, and ₹11,170 in drug money. More than 200 police teams, comprising over 1,500 personnel, were mobilised under the supervision of 101 gazetted officers.
“Punjab Police has crafted a comprehensive strategy and such statewide actions will continue until the drug menace is wiped out from the state,” Shukla said.
