*Anantnag Police Intensifies Crackdown on Drug Mafia: 06 FIRs in a Day, 4 Held, Huge Charas Haul Recovered & Illegal Poppy Cultivation Destroyed*
Anantnag, June 04, 2026:
Continuing its sustained drive against drug trafficking and narcotics-related activities, Anantnag Police achieved a major success by registering 06 NDPS cases in a single day, leading to the arrest of 04 accused persons, contraband recovery and illegal cultivated poppy destroyed.
During routine naka checking at Sarnal Bala near High Ground Crossing, a police party from PP Shairbagh recovered 1.134 kilograms of charas powder from the possession of Mohsin Irshad Want S/o Irshad Ahmad Want R/o Al-Farooq Colony, Anchidora. In this connection, FIR No. 168/2026 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Anantnag, and investigation has been set into motion.
In another significant action, a police party from Police Station Bijbehara apprehended a drug peddler, Junaid Ahmad Khan S/o Bashir Ahmad Khan R/o Uranhall, during naka checking at Pazalpora and recovered 88 grams of charas sticks from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 148/2026 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
Similarly, a police party from Police Station Mattan established a naka on the Pando-Lad Wantrag Road. During checking, one person attempted to flee on noticing the police party but was apprehended on the spot. Upon search, 205 grams of charas powder-like substance was recovered from his possession. The accused was identified as Shakeel Ahmad Khan S/o Ghulam Nabi Khan R/o Kehribal Ranbirpora. In this regard, FIR No. 64/2026 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered and investigation taken up.
In another operation, Police Station Utrasoo apprehended Umar Qadir Sheikh S/o Gh. Qadir Sheikh R/o Sheikh Mohalla, Utrasoo near Batbagh and recovered 54 grams of charas-like substance from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 52/2026 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act has been registered and further investigation is in progress.
Acting against the illegal cultivation of narcotic crops, Police Station Achabal received information through the concerned Beat Officer that Gh. Qadir Wagay S/o Ab. Gafar Wagay R/o Checkabad, Achabal had illegally cultivated opium poppy plants in his field. Consequently, FIR No. 48/2026 under Section 8/18 NDPS Act was registered and the illicit crop was destroyed on the spot in the presence of the Executive Magistrate and Agriculture Officer.
In yet another action, Police Station Kokernag received reliable information regarding the illegal cultivation of opium poppy crop at Khokharpora Adhal by unknown persons. Acting promptly, a police team along with the Executive Magistrate Kokernag, Agriculture Officer, FSL Team, local Lumberdar and Chowkidar visited the site. The illicit crop was destroyed on the spot, samples were collected for forensic examination, and witness statements were recorded. Accordingly, FIR No. 65/2026 under Section 8/18 NDPS Act has been registered and investigation has been initiated to identify the persons involved.
Anantnag Police reiterates its unwavering commitment towards eradicating the menace of drugs from society and appeals to the general public to continue extending cooperation by sharing information regarding drug peddling.
