Anantnag Police arrest 10 drug peddlers, seize charas and heroin in NDPS crackdown
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Anantnag Police in Jammu and Kashmir arrested 10 drug peddlers on 11 October 2026 during a sweeping anti-narcotics operation across the district, registering 10 separate FIRs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Officers recovered charas, charas powder, and a suspected heroin-like substance across multiple locations.
Key Arrests and Recoveries
The largest single seizure came at Lessu in Larnoo, where police recovered approximately 2.393 kg of cannabis from Mohammad Iqbal Dangroo, leading to the registration of FIR No. 59/2026. In the Arwani area, two individuals — Mukhtar Ali and Dolal Ali, both residents of West Bengal — were arrested with charas in their possession; FIR Nos. 292/2026 and 293/2026 were registered at Police Station Bijbehara.
At Hatigam Crossing, Srigufwara, officers recovered around 55 grams of charas and 86 grams of charas powder from Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat. Near the footbridge at Bumzoo, Mattan Police seized approximately 90.2 grams of charas from Mohammad Ashraf Ganaie.
Heroin Seizure and Vehicle Confiscation
Achabal Police intercepted a vehicle at Shehlipora Crossing and recovered approximately 8.4 grams of a heroin-like substance during routine checking. The driver, Irshad Ahmad Ganaie, was arrested and his vehicle was seized. This is notable given that heroin-related seizures in the Kashmir Valley have been flagged as a growing concern by law enforcement in recent months.
Additional Seizures Across the District
At Krad Bridge, Uttersoo, around 15 grams of a charas-like substance were recovered from Mohammad Arif Magray. At Bondialgam Crossing, 8 grams of a charas-like substance were seized from Fayaz Ahmad Magray. In Akingam, police recovered approximately 18.4 grams of a charas-like substance from Feroze Ahmad Sofi, while at Cheerpora Bridge, Uttersoo, around 12 grams of charas were taken from Aijaz Ahmad Lone.
What Investigators Say
According to a police statement, all operations were conducted during naka checking and patrolling at various locations as part of an intensified crackdown on drug trafficking in the district. Investigations are underway to establish further details and identify possible links to larger drug trafficking networks. Notably, the presence of two individuals from West Bengal among those arrested suggests the operation may have an inter-state trafficking dimension, according to investigators.
The crackdown is part of a broader, sustained push by Jammu and Kashmir Police to curb the flow of narcotics in the region. Further arrests and seizures are expected as the investigation progresses.