Operation Kawach: Delhi Police detains over 1,000 people in 24 Hours

The Delhi Police launched “Operation Kawach” on Tuesday night, arresting and detaining around 1,000 individuals in an intensified effort to tackle gang-related activities following recent shootings in the city. Those detained are reportedly linked to gangs led by Lawrence Bishnoi, Neeraj Bawana, Kaushal Chaudhary, Tillu Tajpuria, and others. They face charges related to illegal firearms, liquor, banned drugs, and thefts.

Operation Kawach, a recurring initiative by the Delhi Police to combat crime and drug trafficking, is carried out by local police in collaboration with the Special Cell and Crime Branch. This latest operation began at 5 pm on Tuesday and continued until 5 pm Wednesday.

During the operation, 486 people were apprehended in the Outer North district, with 20% being juveniles. Additional arrests included 39 in Dwarka district, 21 in Southwest district, and 25 in the North district. In the Outer North district, 3,400 liquor bottles were seized, and four people were arrested under the Excise Act. In Southeast district, raids at 50 locations resulted in 100 detentions, six arrests, and 21 arrests under the NDPS Act.

Dwarka DCP Ankit Singh confirmed the arrests of 39 individuals in his district, noting eight cases under the NDPS Act and 18 under the Excise Act. Some of those detained are linked to the Kala Jatheri, Manjeet Mahal, and Nandu gangs.

A Delhi Police official added that in the 24-hour Operation Kawach, which involved Crime Branch, Special Cell, and police from 15 districts, 1,224 people were detained and over 700 were arrested across 874 locations. This operation, routinely undertaken by the Delhi Police, is aimed at curbing crime and drug-related offences citywide.

(With inputs from PTI)