50 Kanals of land worth Rs 60 Cr retrieved in Samba

Jammu, May 17: Police and the civil administration, in a major joint crackdown on drug network, Sunday demolished 33 illegal, encroached structures, belonging to peddlers in identified hotspot “Balole Khad” in Bari Brahmana area of Samba district and retrieved approximately 50 kanals of land, valuing around Rs 60 Cr.

According to the Police, the demolition drive, at identified drugs’ hotspot “Balole Khad” in Bari Brahmana on Sunday, May 17, 2026, was part of a focused anti-narcotics enforcement action.

It was conducted jointly by the District Police Samba and the civil administration against illegal structures, which had “become a safe haven for drug peddlers and habitual offenders involved in heroin trafficking”, Police stated.

“In the drive, led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Samba Anuj Kumar along with the senior officials of civil administration, approximately 50 kanals of land, valuing around Rs 60 Cr, encroached by the drug peddlers has been retrieved. The land retrieved during the drive belongs to Industrial area SIDCO Bari Brahmana and accordingly handed over to it,” Police informed.

Boundary fencing of the retrieved land was completed and the flood lights were also installed, after the completion of demolition drive.

“The illegally raised structures were being misused for storage, concealment and supply of narcotic substances, particularly heroin, thereby destroying the lives of youth and adversely affecting public order and safety,” Police said.

The area, according to the Police, has been under continuous surveillance and several notorious drug peddlers, operating from here have a long criminal history, and have been involved in more than 35 FIRs.

They also included Mohd Baru, son of Mohd Yousaf, involved in 10 FIRs including NDPS cases and other criminal cases, registered at different Police Stations of district Samba and Jammu. Moreover, a PSA warrant has also been issued against him in January 2026, pursuant to which he is absconding.

Others included, Dahua Bibi, wife of Mohd Baru, involved in 3 FIRs, including NDPS case and other criminal cases registered at PS Bari Brahmana; Manshu, son of Bhag Hussain, involved in 7 FIRs including NDPS cases and other criminal cases registered at PS Bari Brahmana; Farman Ali alias Munna, also son of Bhag Hussain, involved in 3 NDPS cases registered at PS Bari Brahmana; Farooq Din alias Dana, son of Gashu Din, involved in 2 FIRs, including NDPS case registered at PS Bari Brahmana; Farooq Ali alias Kana, son of Kala Khan, involved in 6 criminal cases, registered at PS Bari Brahmana; Haider alias Raju, son of Dhamma Din, involved in 2 criminal cases registered at PS Bari Brahmana and Farman Din, son of Gashu Din, involved in 2 criminal cases registered at PS Bari Brahmana.

“Apart from these drug peddlers, several other drug suppliers and criminal elements have also been operating from this area and using these structures for narcotics-related activities. During the drive, a total of 33 illegal structures, including narco palaces of eight drug peddlers raised on the encroached land have been demolished,” Police said.

“This action forms part of the sustained crackdown being carried out under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan against narcotics networks and the infrastructure facilitating drug trafficking in the district. We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug peddling and every individual involved in destroying the future of the younger generation through narcotics trade will be dealt with strictly under law,” Police added.

It stated that in coordination with the civil administration, it (Police) would continue such anti-narcotics operations to dismantle the entire drug ecosystem and ensure that no area was allowed to become a hub of heroin supply and criminal activities.