In a major crackdown on drug networks, Nagpur City Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal spearheaded a high-intensity operation targeting narcotics gangs in the city's vulnerable central areas on Thursday. Codenamed 'Operation Thunder', the mission saw nearly 200 police personnel, including top brass, conduct synchronized raids in sensitive slum pockets.
Unprecedented Tactics: Drones and Dogs in Action
This operation marked a significant tactical shift for the Nagpur police. For the first time, drones were deployed to maintain aerial surveillance and spot anyone attempting to flee the cordoned zones. Complementing the tech were multiple canine squads, whose sniffer dogs played a crucial role in scouring narrow, cluttered spaces.
The police force, comprising personnel from central Nagpur police stations and the crime branch, marched through the sensitive localities of Mominpura and Dobi. These areas are known to be the operational base for the dreaded gangster Mohammad Irfan Khan, alias Ippa, and his network. Special riot control police commandos were also part of the raiding teams that stormed these pockets.
Significant Haul and Key Arrests
The coordinated searches under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act yielded substantial results. Police seized approximately 1,200 grams of cannabis from various hideouts used by suspected peddlers. Actions were initiated against key individuals, including Naushad Khan, the brother of gangster Ippa.
While no contraband was found directly at Naushad Khan's residence, searches in nearby locations led to significant recoveries. A notable discovery was an illegal encroachment on railway property by Naushad, where police uncovered a fortified garage structure. The team had to break an iron gate to enter this reinforced building, which contained spaces for vehicles and a gym. The premises were subsequently sealed.
In another startling find, police uncovered a deceptive room constructed by a fugitive named Irsadurg Ichhu alias Mohammad Irshad Khan. The exterior appeared ordinary, but it concealed a luxurious, air-conditioned hidden interior stocked with high-end imported and branded goods. This sophisticated hideout was secured for legal follow-up.
Broad Scope and Community Impact
'Operation Thunder' had a wide ambit, aiming to pursue around 20 wanted criminals, including notorious names like Ippa, Irshad Khan, and Naushad Pir Khan. Police systematically searched residences, shanties, gyms, and alleys in the targeted zones, sealing multiple properties to disrupt criminal infrastructure.
Senior officials, including Zonal DCP Rahul Madane and senior inspectors from Pachpaoli and Tehsil police stations, were actively involved. The narcotics dog squad, with sniffer dogs Max and Surya, was pivotal in locating concealed drugs.
Police officials stated that under Commissioner Singal's guidance, such proactive actions are designed to disrupt drug supply chains, protect vulnerable youth, and promote a drug-free Nagpur. The operation also initiated coordination with railway officials for the demolition of illegal encroachments, tackling the infrastructural support systems that enable crime. This comprehensive approach has bolstered community confidence in law enforcement's resolve to clean up the city.
