As Delhi gears up for New Year celebrations, police launched an expanded overnight crackdown across the national capital, arresting hundreds of accused, seizing illegal weapons and recovering stolen property in a bid to pre-empt crime during the festive rush.
The intensified drive, Operation Aaghat 3.0, was carried out by South East Delhi Police with coordinated raids and checks across vulnerable pockets of the district, targeting organised crime, street offenders and repeat lawbreakers.
Police said 285 accused were arrested under various provisions of the Arms Act, Excise Act, NDPS Act and Gambling Act during the operation. In addition, 504 people were apprehended under preventive action to avert potential offences during New Year gatherings.
As part of focused action against habitual offenders, 116 listed bad characters were picked up, while police also arrested 10 property offenders and five auto-lifters during the raids.
The operation led to significant recoveries, including 21 country-made pistols, 20 live cartridges and 27 knives. Police teams also seized consignments of drugs and illegal liquor, indicating attempts to push contraband into the market ahead of celebrations.
Large-scale recoveries of stolen property were also made. Police said 310 mobile phones that had been snatched, robbed or reported lost were recovered during the operation.
In a major blow to vehicle theft networks, police seized or recovered 231 two-wheelers and one four-wheeler during searches and road checks across the district.
Overall, 1,306 people were rounded up under preventive measures as police fanned out through the night, conducting checks, verifications and targeted raids based on local intelligence inputs.
Senior police officers said Operation Aaghat 3.0 was designed as a preventive and deterrent exercise to ensure public safety as the city approaches New Year celebrations, a period that traditionally sees a spike in crime and movement.
