Police in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday, 12 September detained 13 suspected drug peddlers during a large-scale anti-narcotics cordon and search operation (CASO) across the Waghama area, according to officials. The coordinated sweep — conducted simultaneously at 20 locations — marks the latest escalation in the district's intensified campaign against the illegal narcotics trade.

How the Operation Unfolded

Anantnag police reportedly identified Waghama as a hotspot for illicit drug activities before launching the multi-point CASO. Teams fanned out across the area, conducting simultaneous searches at 20 separate locations to trace individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking and distribution.

The 13 detained suspects are currently being questioned. Officials said their interrogation is expected to yield critical intelligence about local supply chains and grassroots-level networks facilitating the movement of narcotic substances in the district.

Part of a Wider Anti-Narcotics Push

The operation forms part of a sustained, intelligence-driven campaign by J&K security agencies to dismantle drug distribution networks and cut off supply at the source. Anantnag police reiterated a 'zero-tolerance policy' towards drug peddling and said stringent action would continue across the district under the broader objective of building a Drug-Free Anantnag.

This comes amid growing concern among law-enforcement agencies about narcotics reaching young people and vulnerable communities. Notably, J&K has witnessed a spike in anti-narcotics operations over the past year, with authorities increasingly linking substance abuse to both public health and security challenges in the region.

Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan: The Larger Framework

The crackdown is also an extension of the 100-day Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan campaign, under which authorities combined strict law enforcement with large-scale public awareness drives and structured medical rehabilitation programmes. Key actions during the campaign reportedly included:

• Registration of FIRs and penal action against identified drug traffickers.
• Demolition of illegal structures and properties allegedly raised by accused peddlers.
• Destruction of illegal cannabis and poppy cultivation sites across multiple districts.
• Thousands of rallies, sports events, and interactive anti-drug camps in schools and colleges.
• Deployment of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) tools, including the INSPIRE Podcast Series.
• Trained resource persons leading anti-drug pledge drives and neighbourhood-level discussions.

What Lies Ahead

With the interrogation of the 13 detained suspects underway, investigators are expected to map upstream supply routes and identify financiers behind the local narcotics trade. Anantnag police said further operations are planned as the district intensifies its drive to choke drug supply lines. The outcome of these detentions could shape the next phase of anti-narcotics enforcement in the region.