Delhi Police Crackdown in Southeast District
Delhi :In a sweeping overnight crackdown on organised crime, the Delhi Police arrested 70 people in the southeast district on Friday. The operation, code-named Operation Aaghaat, led to the recovery of illegal firearms, liquor, narcotics, and cash. Officials said the coordinated raids were conducted to curb criminal activities in the city ahead of the festival season.
Operation Aaghaat: A Coordinated Crackdown
The operation began on Thursday night and continued until early Friday. According to police officials, 15 illegal firearms, 24 cartridges, and 16 knives were seized during the drive. Additionally, the raids led to the confiscation of 6,338 bottles of illicit liquor, nearly 6 kg of narcotic substances, ₹78,350 in cash, three mobile phones, and two motorcycles.
“All ACPs and SHOs of the southeast district, along with their personnel, participated in the crackdown,” said Hemant Tiwari, DCP (southeast). “The drive was conducted under the leadership of Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Sanjay Jain and supervised by Additional DCPs Aishwarya Sharma and Ishan Bhardwaj.”
Police said the action targeted known offenders and hotspots of illegal activity. The objective was to dismantle local crime networks that supply firearms, liquor, and narcotics to Delhi’s underground markets.
Preventive Action and Vehicle Seizures
Along with the arrests, the southeast district police also took preventive measures against 191 people under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). These preventive detentions are aimed at reducing repeat crimes and ensuring peace in sensitive areas.
A total of 103 vehicles were seized under Section 66 of the Delhi Police Act, police said. Many of these vehicles were allegedly being used to transport illegal goods. Officials stressed that vehicle seizures were a key part of the operation, as they cut off logistics networks that enable crime syndicates to function.
Parallel Raids in Northeast Delhi
In a separate but parallel crackdown, the northeast district police deployed 350 personnel across 39 locations on the intervening night of September 19 and 20. These raids resulted in the arrest of five people and the recovery of five illegal firearms, 20 cartridges, seven mobile phones, one laptop, and over ₹18.7 lakh in cash.
Officials said both operations were part of a citywide push to control the flow of weapons and narcotics. The scale of the raids, combined with mass arrests, demonstrates the police’s renewed focus on tackling organised crime ahead of upcoming public events and festivals.
Police Statement on Future Action
Senior police officials indicated that similar drives would continue in other districts. “Operations like Aaghaat send a strong message to those involved in criminal activities,” said a senior officer, requesting anonymity. “We are focusing on preventing violent crime, narcotics distribution, and illegal liquor trade.”
The Delhi Police have also urged residents to cooperate by reporting suspicious activities. With increased checkpoints and night patrols, law enforcement aims to reduce street crimes and enhance public safety.
Significance of the Crackdown
Operations of this scale are uncommon but necessary, police officials said. Delhi’s metropolitan sprawl often provides cover for organised crime networks. By conducting simultaneous raids across multiple locations, authorities aim to disrupt illegal supply chains.
Moreover, the seizure of cash and weapons highlights the financial and violent aspects of such crime networks. Experts say sustained crackdowns could weaken their hold, but continuous vigilance is required.
Conclusion
The arrest of 70 people in the southeast district, coupled with simultaneous raids in the northeast, marks one of the biggest crackdowns by Delhi Police in recent months. With large quantities of firearms, narcotics, and cash seized, the operation reflects a decisive step against organised crime. Whether these drives will bring lasting change depends on consistent enforcement and community support.