As part of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s ongoing relentless war against drugs ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday inaugurated the newly constructed ultra-modern Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Patiala Range office at Police Lines in Patiala.
The DGP was accompanied by Special DGP ANTF Kuldeep Singh and ADGP ANTF Nilabh Kishore.The state-of-the-art two-storey building, built at a cost of Rs 1 crore over 6,800 square feet, is equipped with advanced technological tools to combat drug trafficking more effectively.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that this facility has been equipped with cutting-edge forensic tools, data analysis systems, forensic data extraction and decryption capabilities and cryptocurrency investigation equipment.
A dedicated team of skilled technical experts has been deployed to maximise the effectiveness of these resources, ensuring that no criminal network can operate with impunity in Punjab, he said.“To enhance rapid response and operational mobility, the unit has also been strengthened with new vehicles, enabling swift and decisive field action,” said the DGP.
Addressing the media after inaugurating the ANTF building, DGP Gaurav Yadav termed the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign as a huge success and said that this campaign will be continued till the scourge of drugs eradicated from the state.
Punjab Police has adopted a comprehensive approach targeting not just drug peddlers but also the big fish behind this. “While we’re coming down hard on smugglers, we’re equally focused on rehabilitating victims and preventing youth from falling into this trap,” he said, while adding that no Police Station or Police officer has been given any kind of target.
Terming the ANTF as the nucleus of this anti-drugs drive, the DGP said that the apart from coordinating and monitoring the enforcement activities in the districts, this unit has been instrumental in implementing de-addiction strategies in coordination with other departments.
He informed that Punjab Government had provided grant of Rs 12 crores in last financial year to the ANTF for the technical modernisation, while, this year the grant has been enhanced to Rs 13.5 crores, which is being utilised to further strengthen the infrastructure of the ANTF.
In Jalandhar range, similar office of the ANTF is under construction, while, very soon all the ranges will have the ANTF office, he said.DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the ‘Safe Punjab’ WhatsApp Chatbot portal— 9779100200— emerged as a game-changer as it has received an overwhelming response from the public for its confidentiality feature encouraging individuals to report smugglers, addicts, and providing suggestions. Out of 7635 tips received, 1596 FIRs were registered after investigation which resulted in the arrest of 1814 accused, he said.
Sharing outcome of the ‘Yudh Nashe Virudh’ campaign, the DGP said that Punjab Police has registered 8,960 FIRs and arrested 15,272 drug smugglers since March 1, 2025, and recovered 603 kg heroin, 249 kg opium, 14 ton poppy husk, 9 kg charas, 262 kg ganja, 2.5 kg ICE, 1.6 kg cocaine, 26.28 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets and Rs 10.81 crores drug money from their possession. Illegally acquired properties of 144 drug smugglers worth 74.27 Crores has been freezed, he added.
DGP Gaurav Yadav highlighted the humane aspect of their strategy, noting that 1,121 drug users caught with small quantities have been sent for rehabilitation under the provision of Section 64-A of NDPS Act instead of being treated as criminals. Additionally, police have facilitated treatment for 5,786 addicts at de-addiction centers and convinced 6,483 others to avail services at OOAT clinics.
He also credited the campaign’s success to massive public support, particularly through 19,559 Village Defence Committees actively assisting authorities. Urging citizens to continue supporting this people’s movement against drugs, the DGP exhorted people to report drug-related information confidentially at Safe Punjab Chatbot: 9779100200.
He said that Punjab Police is also exploring the use of GPS anklets to track and monitor activities of big drug smugglers released on bail, said the DGP, while stating, “We are examining the proposal from legal point of view to track the movement and monitor activities of bailed out big smugglers through GPS anklets with the approval of competent Court,” he said.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Punjab Police has also been developing an AI-powered hierarchical database to map arrested persons under NDPS Act with backward and forward linkages to be traced upto two levels in each arrest. Also present on the occasion were DIG ANTF Sanjeev Kumar Rampal, DIG Patiala Range Dr Nanak Singh, SSP Varun Sharma and AIG ANTF Bhupinder Singh.
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