On the completion of 500 days of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the arrest of 629 major drug traffickers. Since the campaign’s launch on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police have filed 52,432 FIRs under the NDPS Act and apprehended over 68,850 drug traffickers.
Complementing the enforcement efforts, the government has granted immunity to 10,917 individuals under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act, allowing them to opt for treatment and rehabilitation. Simultaneously, the police have targeted the financial roots of drug cartels by confiscating properties acquired through drug trade proceeds.
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) chief Nilabh Kishore reported that properties worth Rs 319 crore belonging to drug traffickers were attached or confiscated during the campaign. The campaign also saw public participation through the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline (97791-00200), which received 46,342 anonymous tip-offs leading to the arrest of 22,960 drug traffickers.
Punjab Police, with an 89% conviction rate in NDPS cases, attribute their success to high-quality investigations and close coordination with prosecution agencies. They are also collaborating with over 24,000 Village Defence Committees to report suspicious activities and enhance intelligence gathering at the village level. Awareness drives, sports events, youth programs, and public meetings are being organized to combat substance abuse.
