Anti-narcotic checking drive held in Sopore under ‘Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan’

Sopore, May 18: As part of the intensified campaign against drug abuse and narcotics trafficking under the 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan, Sopore Police on Sunday conducted a massive narcotic checking and vehicle frisking operation at Iqbal Market Sopore with the active assistance of specially trained K9 dog squads.

The anti-drug operation was launched in view of the growing concern over the spread of narcotic substances among the youth and to strengthen preventive measures against the transportation and illegal circulation of drugs in the town. Police teams, accompanied by trained narcotic detection dogs, established multiple checking points around the busy market area and carried out detailed inspections of vehicles, suspicious belongings, and other movable items passing through the locality.

Officials said that the deployment of K9 dog squads significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the operation, as the trained dogs assisted the teams in detecting concealed narcotic substances and suspicious material. Several vehicles, including private cars, passenger vehicles, and two-wheelers, were thoroughly frisked during the drive to ensure strict monitoring of any illegal movement of drugs. The operation was conducted amid heightened vigilance and under the broader strategy of Sopore Police to dismantle the narcotics network operating in the region. Police personnel also interacted with traders, transporters, and local residents during the drive, urging them to remain alert and cooperate in the fight against drug abuse, which has emerged as a serious social challenge affecting families and communities.

Officials stated that the 100-Day Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan is not limited to enforcement actions alone but also focuses on public awareness, community participation, and youth engagement to build a collective movement against drugs. They added that regular checking drives, awareness campaigns, sports activities, counselling sessions, and crackdown operations are being conducted across Police District Sopore to prevent youth from falling prey to substance abuse.

The drive at Iqbal Market also drew attention from the local public, many of whom appreciated the visible presence of police and K9 squads in the market area. Residents expressed hope that such sustained actions would help curb the drug menace and discourage peddlers from operating in the region.