Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, April 23: In a sweeping anti-narcotics offensive under the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, Pulwama Police launched coordinated crackdowns on Thursday, April 23, targeting illegal drug cultivation, pharmaceutical misuse, and street-level peddling across the district. The multi-pronged operation forms part of a 100-day campaign aimed at dismantling the drug supply chain and protecting the region's youth from substance abuse.

Medical Shop Inspections Across Key Areas

As part of intensified enforcement, Pulwama Police conducted surprise inspections of medical shops across several localities, including Muran, Shadimarg, Abhama, and Main Chowk Kakapora. The inspections focused on ensuring strict compliance with regulations governing the sale of scheduled drugs and controlled substances.

Officials scrutinised sale records, prescriptions, and stock registers in detail. CCTV installations at the establishments were also verified to ensure transparency and prevent the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs — a growing concern in the Valley where over-the-counter sale of sedatives and opioids has reportedly fuelled addiction among youth.

Illicit Poppy Cultivation Detected and Destroyed

Pulwama Police detected and destroyed illicit poppy straw cultivation at Singhu Narbal. In a separate operation, poppy plants found cultivated alongside vegetable crops over nearly one kanal of land at Dougam were uprooted and destroyed on the spot.

The concealment of poppy plants within vegetable fields reflects a pattern increasingly observed across Jammu & Kashmir, where growers attempt to disguise illegal cultivation from aerial surveillance and ground patrols. Authorities have flagged this as a deliberate tactic to sustain local drug supply chains.

Intensified Frisking, K9 Squads Deployed

To further curb street-level peddling, Pulwama Police has significantly increased checking and frisking operations at schools, colleges, bus stands, and busy marketplaces — locations identified as high-vulnerability zones for drug distribution. Suspicious individuals are being routinely screened.

The deployment of K9 dog squads has substantially enhanced detection capabilities during these drives, enabling faster identification of concealed narcotics. Law enforcement officials noted that the squads have proven effective in intercepting small-quantity carriers who might otherwise evade manual checks.

Awareness Drive at Government High School Tujan

Beyond enforcement, Pulwama Police organised a drug awareness programme at Government High School Tujan, where students and staff were sensitised about the harmful physical, psychological, and social consequences of drug abuse. Legal repercussions under relevant narcotics laws were also explained.

The session included an interactive component encouraging students to commit to a drug-free lifestyle — a recognition that enforcement alone cannot address addiction without simultaneously building community resistance among the younger generation.

Broader Context: Why Pulwama's Drug Fight Matters

This comes amid growing concern that Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a sharp uptick in drug-related cases over the past several years, with Pulwama district emerging as a particularly sensitive zone given its proximity to conflict-affected corridors. According to law enforcement data, narcotics trafficking has increasingly been linked to funding illegal activities in the region, making anti-drug operations a dual-purpose security imperative.

Notably, the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan aligns with the J&K administration's broader post-reorganisation governance agenda, which has prioritised social stability alongside security. Critics, however, argue that sustainable results require parallel investment in rehabilitation infrastructure and economic opportunities for at-risk youth — areas where ground-level progress has been slower.

Pulwama Police has urged the general public to share any information related to drug peddling or illegal activities to strengthen the collective fight. As the 100-day campaign continues, authorities are expected to escalate enforcement operations in remaining weeks, with district-level outcome reports likely to be submitted to the J&K Police headquarters upon campaign conclusion.