Jammu anti-drug drive nets 18 suspects; Reasi ramps up Amarnath Yatra security
Synopsis
Jammu Police searched over 250 homes and detained 18 suspects in a targeted anti-drug sweep in Gandhi Nagar on 24 June, while Reasi convened a multi-agency security council to lock down pilgrimage routes ahead of Amarnath Yatra 2026 — signalling a twin-track push on law and order as the Yatra season approaches.
Key Takeaways
18 suspects were rounded up during a CASO in Valmiki Colony, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu on 24 June 2025 under the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan .
More than 250 houses were searched during the operation, which targeted alleged ganja peddling networks.
SSP Reasi Mukund Tibrewal, IPS chaired a SMAC meeting at District Police Lines, Reasi to coordinate security for SANJY-2026 , Kousar Nag Yatra, and Shri Budda Amarnath Yatra.
Security directives covered the Chenab Bridge , Anji Bridge , drone surveillance, CCTV verification, and Village Defence Group (VDG) training.
Agencies were directed to prepare for monsoon emergencies and conduct character verification of pony operators and porters for Yatra duties.
Jammu Police on Wednesday, 24 June 2025, rounded up 18 suspects during a large-scale Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Valmiki Colony, Gandhi Nagar, as part of its ongoing Nasha Mukt Abhiyan campaign. Separately, in Reasi district, a high-level Subsidiary Multi-Agency Centre (SMAC) meeting was convened to tighten security arrangements for the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026) and other pilgrimages.
Anti-Drug Operation in Gandhi Nagar
South Zone Jammu Police launched the intensive CASO in Valmiki Colony following specific intelligence inputs about alleged ganja peddling in the locality. During the operation, more than 250 houses were thoroughly searched before 18 suspects were detained for sustained questioning and verification.
The operation was led by the SP South Zone, Jammu, with coordinated participation from officers and personnel across South Zone Police. Authorities said the drive targeted both the supply and demand chains linked to narcotics, aiming to identify and neutralise drug peddlers and anti-social elements active in the area.
Jammu Police reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling the drug ecosystem and appealed to the public to share information on drug trafficking and related criminal activity to enable timely action.
Reasi SMAC Meeting Ahead of Yatra Season
In Reasi district, a SMAC meeting was held at the District Police Lines, Reasi, chaired by SSP Reasi Mukund Tibrewal, IPS. The meeting brought together senior officers from the Police, Army, CRPF, CISF, BSF, JKAP, intelligence agencies, and other security establishments. Station House Officers (SHOs) of Reasi district joined the session virtually.
The meeting covered security preparedness for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Kousar Nag Yatra, and Shri Budda Amarnath Yatra. Participating officers briefed the chair on the prevailing security situation and readiness measures to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the upcoming pilgrimages.
Key Security Directives Issued
SSP Tibrewal directed agencies to strengthen security along pilgrimage routes, vulnerable locations, and vital installations, specifically citing the Chenab Bridge, Anji Bridge, and other railway infrastructure. He called for regular mock drills, intensified area domination near religious and strategic sites, and greater engagement with residents of fringe villages.
Detailed discussions were held on law and order management, counter-terrorism measures, surveillance of overground workers (OGWs), monitoring of surrendered militants and missing youth, prevention of radicalisation, and intelligence-led operations. Agencies were also directed to support training and firing practice of Village Defence Groups (VDGs) in line with PHQ guidelines.
The SSP stressed verification of CCTV camera functionality near security force establishments and called for expanded use of surveillance technologies, including drones, along Yatra routes. Personnel were cautioned about the threat posed by PIO calls and directed to ensure no sensitive information is inadvertently disclosed.
Monsoon Preparedness and Pilgrim Safety
SSP Tibrewal also directed the SDRF and allied agencies to remain on standby for monsoon-related emergencies. He ordered thorough character verification of pony operators and porters from Reasi participating in SANJY duties, and stressed strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) at all deployment points.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from all participating agencies to strengthen inter-agency coordination and security preparedness across Reasi district ahead of what is expected to be a high-footfall pilgrimage season.
Point of View
And the conversion rate of such CASO detentions into prosecutions has historically been uneven. On the Reasi front, the emphasis on Chenab and Anji Bridge security, drone deployment, and VDG training signals that planners are treating the 2026 Yatra corridor as a high-threat environment, a posture that reflects the broader security situation in the region.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Jammu anti-drug operation on 24 June 2025?
South Zone Jammu Police conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Valmiki Colony, Gandhi Nagar, searching more than 250 houses and detaining 18 suspects for questioning over alleged ganja peddling. The operation was part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Abhiyan campaign to dismantle drug networks in the region.
What is the SMAC meeting held in Reasi about?
The Subsidiary Multi-Agency Centre (SMAC) meeting in Reasi was convened to coordinate security preparations for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY-2026), Kousar Nag Yatra, and Shri Budda Amarnath Yatra. It was chaired by SSP Reasi Mukund Tibrewal and attended by officers from the Army, CRPF, CISF, BSF, intelligence agencies, and other security bodies.
Which infrastructure sites were highlighted for enhanced security ahead of Amarnath Yatra 2026?
SSP Tibrewal specifically directed agencies to strengthen security around the Chenab Bridge, Anji Bridge, and other railway infrastructure along pilgrimage routes. Drone surveillance and CCTV verification near security force establishments were also mandated.
Who are Village Defence Groups (VDGs) and why are they relevant?
Village Defence Groups are armed civilian units in Jammu & Kashmir tasked with local security in fringe and remote areas. The SSP directed agencies to support their training and firing practice in line with PHQ guidelines, as VDGs play a frontline role in securing vulnerable villages along pilgrimage corridors during the Yatra season.
What monsoon-related measures were discussed at the Reasi SMAC meeting?
SSP Tibrewal directed the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and allied agencies to remain on standby for monsoon-related emergencies during the Yatra period. He also ordered thorough character verification of pony operators and porters from Reasi who will participate in SANJY duties.
