‘Narco mahals’ razed in Jammu & Kashmir: 33 illegal structures demolished in Samba drive

Rashmi Pandey — Sun, 17 May 2026 11:04:26 +0000

A major anti-drug and anti-encroachment operation carried out jointly by the administration and police in Samba district led to the demolition of 33 illegal structures allegedly linked to narcotics traffickers and land encroachers in the Bari Brahmana area, officials said on Saturday.

The large-scale operation was conducted under the ongoing “Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir” campaign and targeted the Balol Khad area of Birpur, a location that police described as a known hotspot for narcotics-related activities. Authorities said bulldozers were used to demolish multiple permanent constructions, sheds and illegal structures spread across nearly 50 kanal of government land.

According to officials, the estimated value of the reclaimed land is around ₹60 crore. Among the demolished structures were eight large constructions allegedly belonging to notorious drug traffickers, which police described as “narco mahals” built through illegal earnings linked to narcotics trade.

The joint action was carried out by the Samba Police along with the local civil administration amid heavy deployment of police personnel to prevent any law-and-order disturbance during the demolition drive.

Police officials claimed that the demolished structures were allegedly being used for storing, concealing and distributing narcotics, primarily heroin, commonly referred to as “chitta” in the region. Investigators said the area had remained under continuous surveillance for a long period due to suspected drug trafficking operations.

Authorities further stated that more than 35 FIRs related to narcotics offences had already been registered against several individuals operating in the area. Officials described the latest demolition campaign as part of a wider strategy aimed at dismantling financial and logistical networks supporting the drug trade in Jammu and Kashmir.

The administration said the action aligns with the anti-narcotics policy being pursued under the leadership of Manoj Sinha, with a focus not only on arresting traffickers but also on targeting illegally acquired assets and encroachments connected to narcotics activities.

Local authorities issued a stern warning that individuals involved in pushing youth toward drug addiction or using illegal properties for narcotics trade would continue to face strict action, including demolition of unlawful structures and seizure of assets.

The latest operation comes days after another major narcotics-related arrest in Jammu. On May 12, a team from Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a suspected drug trafficker during a naka checking operation conducted by Bahu Fort Police Station. Officials said the accused, identified as Avneet Singh alias Nagi from RS Pura, Jammu, was allegedly found in possession of over 266 grams of heroin-like substance, a Glock pistol and three live cartridges.

Police stated that the accused already had 17 criminal cases registered against him under the NDPS Act, Arms Act and other serious criminal provisions.

The crackdown reflects the administration’s growing focus on dismantling organised narcotics networks across Jammu and Kashmir amid rising concerns over drug abuse and cross-border smuggling routes. Security agencies have intensified surveillance and enforcement measures in recent months, particularly in districts considered vulnerable to narcotics trafficking.

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‘Narco mahals’ razed in Jammu & Kashmir: 33 illegal structures demolished in Samba drive