Gujarat Police have detained 362 Bangladeshi nationals allegedly residing illegally in India and questioned more than 782 other suspected individuals under 'Operation Delta Hunt', a statewide crackdown driven by telecom analysis, technical surveillance, human intelligence, and a dense network of checkpoints. The operation, announced on 3 June, was prepared over at least 72 hours before coordinated raids and blockades were launched across the state.

How the operation was built

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said more than 6,200 suspicious individuals were screened before field teams moved in. The intelligence backbone, according to state police, came from technical inputs combined with on-ground verification.

Director General of Police K. L. N. Rao said extensive telecom analysis was carried out with support from the Cyber Centre of Excellence and local intelligence networks. ‘A database of Indian mobile numbers that had communicated with Bangladeshi numbers was prepared. Through this methodology, a database of more than 6,200 suspected Bangladeshis was compiled, and ground-level action was initiated to dismantle illegal networks,’ Rao said.

Checkpoints sealed escape routes

Officials said the plan was designed to choke exit routes the moment raids began. Police set up checkpoints at railway stations, bus terminals, district borders, highways, and other entry and exit points across Gujarat.

Sanghavi said the strategy worked, with 18 individuals who allegedly tried to flee being apprehended. ‘As soon as raids began in cities, blockades were activated at bus stations, highways, and railway stations. The operation was planned in such a manner that those trying to escape could also be intercepted,’ he said.

Where the detentions happened

The largest numbers were detected in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Bharuch, though teams also conducted checks in smaller districts including Dang. ‘Action was taken in districts wherever suspicious inputs were received,’ Sanghavi said.

Aadhaar and document trail under scrutiny

Investigators have reportedly gathered information suggesting some detainees entered India years ago through different parts of West Bengal and later obtained local documents that were allegedly used to secure Aadhaar cards and other identity records. This points to a deeper documentation chain that police say they intend to dismantle.

What happens next

Sanghavi described the exercise as a proactive policing initiative and said the drive would continue. ‘This is only the beginning. The operation is continuing today and will continue in the future across every corner of Gujarat,’ he said, adding that verification drives and intelligence-led investigations would persist to identify additional illegal residents and break support networks.