Delhi Police’s Operation Aaghat 3.0 Ahead of New Year: 285 Arrested, Weapons, Drugs and Illicit Liquor Seized

In a major crackdown ahead of New Year celebrations, the Delhi Police on Friday carried out Operation Aaghat 3.0, arresting 285 people for offences under the Excise Act, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Gambling Act, news agency ANI reported.

As part of large-scale preventive measures to maintain law and order, police also detained more than 500 individuals, while 116 people identified as having a “bad character” were arrested. The operation resulted in significant recoveries, including firearms, sharp weapons, narcotics and illicit liquor.

According to police, the following arrests and recoveries were made during Operation Aaghat 3.0:

• 504 persons apprehended under preventive measures

• 116 ‘bad character’ individuals arrested

• 21 country-made pistols

• 20 live cartridges

• 27 knives

• 12,258 quarters of illicit liquor

• 6.01 kg of ganja

• ₹2,30,990 in cash

• 310 mobile phones

• 231 two-wheelers and one four-wheeler seized or recovered

Police officials said that a total of 1,306 people were rounded up under preventive action during the operation. DCP South East Hemant Tiwari described Operation Aaghat 3.0 as a significant step towards ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order during the festive season.

“The 285 arrested individuals have been booked under the Excise Act, NDPS Act and the Gambling Act,” Tiwari said. He added that the operation also led to the arrest of 10 property offenders and five auto-lifters.

“Recoveries include 21 country-made pistols, 20 live cartridges and 27 knives. A total of 12,258 quarters of illicit liquor and 6.01 kg of ganja were seized. We also recovered ₹2,30,990 from gamblers, along with 310 mobile phones. As many as 231 two-wheelers and one four-wheeler were seized or recovered,” he said.

Operation Aaghat is part of a series of intensified drives launched by the Delhi Police to crack down on organised crime, habitual offenders, bootleggers and drug peddlers. In the first edition of Operation Aaghat in September, police arrested 70 people in southeast Delhi and seized firearms, narcotics, illicit liquor and stolen property. That operation led to the recovery of 14 country-made pistols, one sophisticated pistol, 24 cartridges and 16 knives, with 28 people arrested, news agency PTI reported.

Similarly, Operation Aaghat 2.0, conducted in October, saw around 500 people apprehended as part of the citywide crackdown.

With Operation Aaghat 3.0, Delhi Police said they aim to ensure a safer environment for residents as the city prepares to ring in the New Year.