The Indian Army's Northern Command, headquartered at Udhampur, on Tuesday, 16 June reaffirmed its active coordination with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to eradicate the drug menace from the union territory. The statement came as the 100-day Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan concluded with significant on-ground results, including over 900 arrests and the seizure of assets worth more than ₹48 crore.

Scale of the Campaign

The Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan reached over one crore citizens across the union territory through more than 16.37 lakh awareness events held in schools, villages, and Panchayats. To anchor community-level vigilance, 7,000 women's committees were constituted, and 20 senior Army officers were designated as District Mentors to oversee awareness operations at the district level.

Enforcement and Asset Seizures

On the law-enforcement front, over 850 FIRs were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, leading to the arrests of more than 900 drug peddlers and smugglers. Targeted operations against narco syndicates resulted in the attachment of immovable and movable properties valued at over ₹48 crore. Security forces also intervened in 49 high-risk drug hotspots identified across the region.

Technology and Border Surveillance

Border surveillance was significantly upgraded during the campaign, with security grids deploying AI-based surveillance systems and night-vision devices to intercept drone-dropped narcotics — a method increasingly used by cross-border smuggling networks. This technological escalation marks a notable shift in counter-narcotics strategy for the region.

Rehabilitation Over Punishment

Beyond arrests, the campaign pivoted toward rehabilitation, with counselling programmes successfully reclaiming thousands of youth from addiction. A dedicated Nasha Mukt J&K Portal was also launched to improve public access to de-addiction courses, counselling services, and peer support systems. The focus on rehabilitation alongside enforcement signals a dual-track approach to the drug crisis.

Launch and Government Backing

The 100-day campaign was inaugurated on 6 April by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who announced additional punitive measures including the cancellation of passports, driving licences, Aadhaar cards, and vehicle registration certificates linked to those caught in the anti-drug drive. This comes amid sustained concerns about narcotics infiltration through Jammu and Kashmir's porous borders, with drone-based smuggling having emerged as a critical security challenge in recent years. The campaign's scale — touching over a crore citizens — suggests a deliberate effort to shift public perception from passive awareness to active community participation.