ISI-linked operatives pushing narcotics into India: DGP

Srinagar, May 14: Warning ISI-linked operatives involved in pushing drugs into India of stern action, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir Police are targeting narcotics syndicates and their cross-border support structures.
Addressing a press conference at PCR Kashmir, DGP Prabhat, said, “The anti-narcotics campaign stands with sustained action against drug networks since 2023. J&K Police have stepped up action under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan with a focus on arrests, seizures and financial disruption of drug networks.”
He said, “The fight against narco-terrorism has been strengthened under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, launched on April 11, 2026 under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.”
The DGP expressed gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for continued support, saying sustained institutional backing has strengthened the anti-narcotics campaign.
Issuing a stern warning to Pakistan-based Shehzad Bhatti, described as an ISI-linked operative involved in pushing narcotics into India, the DGP said, “ISI-linked operatives pushing narcotics into India will be hunted down and their entire network will be dismantled.”
He added that J&K Police remain fully committed to dismantling the narco-terror ecosystem operating through cross-border channels.
He said J&K Police have been maintaining sustained pressure on narcotics networks since 2023, achieving consistent results across arrests, seizures, preventive detentions and financial disruption of drug trade.
“There has been a sustained increase in attachment of properties linked with narcotics trafficking during the past three years. J&K Police were ranked third nationally in 2025 in this regard,” he said.
The DGP said 240 PIT-NDPS preventive detentions were carried out in 2025, in which J&K Police ranked first in the country, reflecting a strong preventive enforcement strategy.
He said there has been nearly a seven-fold increase in NDPS cases compared to the corresponding period last year, indicating intensified detection and crackdown on drug networks.
A total of 806 persons have been arrested in 724 NDPS cases, FIRs registered across Jammu and Kashmir during the ongoing drive, he said.
Among major arrests, he said Gulzar Ahmad alias “Love Gurjar,” wanted in 28 cases and Avneet Singh alias “Nagi,” wanted in 17 cases, were recently apprehended by Jammu Police.
The DGP said enforcement agencies have seized 667 kilograms of narcotics and 19,000 units of psychotropic substances, while action has also been taken against habitual offenders.
He said 97 properties worth Rs 41.85 crore linked to narcotics trade have been identified and attached so far.
Highlighting key achievements, he said Anantnag Police attached properties worth Rs 6.17 crore in a single case, the largest attachment recorded so far.
In a significant development, he said J&K Police has carried out first-of-its-kind attachment of narcotics-linked properties beyond the Union Territory, including in Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Chandigarh, establishing backward linkages of the drug network.
He added that Jammu Police attached properties worth Rs 93 lakh in Balicharana, Jammu, as part of sustained financial disruption of narcotics syndicates.
The DGP said 41 properties worth nearly Rs 15 crore, identified as proceeds of crime, have been demolished after due legal procedure.
He said illegal poppy and cannabis cultivation spread over 117 kanals of land has been destroyed during enforcement drives.
On awareness initiatives, he said 2,401 sensitisation programmes were conducted across educational institutions, public places and identified hotspots, covering more than three lakh participants.
He added that 5,238 chemist and druggist shops were inspected, with action initiated against 151 erring establishments.
The DGP said 4,962 kilograms of narcotics and 6,493 units of psychotropic substances were disposed of during the campaign.
Further, driving licences of 162 individuals involved in narcotics cases were cancelled or suspended, while registration certificates of 92 vehicles used in drug trafficking were also revoked. In addition, 10 passports have been recommended for impounding. (KNO)