Yudh Nashian Virudh 2.0: Punjab Police set to take action on big fishes of narcotic trade

Punjab Police has intensified its efforts against drug networks, shifting focus from street-level peddlers to dismantling high-level suppliers and kingpins, following the ongoing "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign launched under the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, stated in Chandigarh on Thursday that the crackdown on street-level drug distribution has significantly reduced availability, and now the police are targeting the major players in the narcotics trade.

"We are not stopping at street-level arrests of drug peddlers/smugglers. Punjab Police teams are now rigorously questioning all the arrested drug peddlers/smugglers to trace and identify the big fish in narcotics trade in the state," said the DGP during a press conference at the Punjab Police Headquarters, where he was joined by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters, Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill.

This development follows DGP Punjab’s directive to all Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to identify and document key drug suppliers in their districts within seven days.

DGP Gaurav Yadav highlighted that the "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign, launched on March 1, 2025, has led to the arrest of 4,142 drug smugglers and the registration of 2,384 FIRs across Punjab. The campaign has also resulted in the seizure of 146.3 kg of heroin, 85.3 kg of opium, 19.95 quintals of poppy husk, 7.69 lakh intoxicant tablets/capsules, 1 kg of ICE, and ₹5.83 crore in drug money from smugglers.

He noted that with street-level supply disrupted, Punjab Police is now focused on tracking the masterminds behind drug distribution networks.

CPs and SSPs have been tasked with overseeing the mapping of key drug suppliers, using data from interrogation reports, intelligence inputs, public tips, Safe Punjab Helpline data, and investigations under the NDPS Act.

Mohalla Committees to Strengthen Anti-Drug Efforts in Urban Areas

DGP Gaurav Yadav announced that Punjab Police will form Mohalla Committees in urban areas to intensify the war against drugs, taking inspiration from the success of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in rural border areas.

"Just as VDCs strengthened rural policing in border areas, Mohalla Committees will empower urban communities to fight the drug menace collectively," he said, stressing the importance of public participation in the fight against drugs.

He also expressed gratitude to the people of Punjab for their support in this anti-drug drive and urged them to use the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline ‘9779100200’ to report drug traffickers anonymously.