Srinagar, September 12: Police detained 13 suspected drug peddlers during a major anti-narcotics operation in Anantnag and arrested three alleged drug peddlers in Kulgam, Anantnag and Pulwama, recovering heroin, charas-like substances and cash from their possession, officials said on Saturday.
The 13 suspects were detained during a cordon-and-search operation (CASO) conducted at 20 locations in Waghama, an area identified by authorities as a hotspot for illicit drug activity.
Police teams simultaneously searched multiple locations in Waghama as part of efforts to identify individuals allegedly involved in the distribution and supply of narcotic substances. The detained suspects are being questioned, with investigators seeking information about the local network involved in the drug trade.
The operation is part of Anantnag Police’s intensified anti-narcotics campaign aimed at disrupting the supply chain and identifying those facilitating the movement of drugs at the grassroots level.
Separately, police arrested three alleged drug peddlers during checking operations in Kulgam, Anantnag and Pulwama and recovered contraband substances from their possession.
In Kulgam, police apprehended a man during naka checking at Lassipora Crossing under the jurisdiction of Police Post Mir Bazar after he allegedly attempted to flee on noticing the police party.
A search led to the recovery of a polythene packet containing approximately 171 grams of a charas-like substance, police said. The accused was identified as Mudasir Khursheed Laigroo, son of Khursheed Ahmad Laigroo of Sherpora, Anantnag.
A case has been registered at Police Station Qazigund under relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is underway to establish the source and intended destination of the recovered substance.
In Anantnag, police arrested Ajaz Ahmad Malik, son of Dilwar Malik of Old Qazibagh, Mattan Chowk, during routine checking near the Sports Stadium.
Police said 3.15 grams of heroin and 4.44 grams of charas were recovered from his possession. A case, FIR No. 301/2026 under Sections 8/20 and 21 of the NDPS Act, has been registered at Police Station Anantnag and investigation has been initiated.
In Pulwama, police apprehended Ateef Bashir, son of Bashir Ahmad Lone of Babademb, Khanyar, presently residing at Pirbagh, Srinagar, during naka checking at Circular Road near Sirnoo Crossing.
Approximately six grams of a heroin-like substance and ₹5,000 in cash were recovered from his possession, police said. The contraband and cash were seized as per prescribed procedure.
A case, FIR No. 183/2026, has been registered at Police Station Pulwama under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, with investigation underway to trace the source of the contraband and establish further linkages.
Police said the latest operations form part of its intensified campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse across J&K and reiterated its commitment to dismantling narcotics networks.
Authorities also urged the public to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies by identifying and reporting activities linked to the illegal trade and distribution of narcotic substances.
