OPERATION AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING

Drug trafficking has emerged as a significant challenge in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), particularly over the last decade.

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The region, already grappling with long-standing geopolitical tensions and insurgency, is increasingly being targeted as both a transit and consumption point for narcotics. The growing influx of drugs has not only threatened security but also contributed to a rise in substance abuse, especially among the youth.

J&K's geographic location makes it particularly vulnerable to drug trafficking. It lies close to the "Golden Crescent," a region comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran - one of the world's largest opium-producing areas. The proximity to Pakistan, in particular, has enabled the easy smuggling of narcotics such as heroin and charas into the region. The Line of Control (LOC) has become a key infiltration route, often used by Pakistani handlers and local collaborators to push drugs into Indian territory. These activities are well-organized and supported by a network of couriers, drones, and sometimes even underground tunnels, making detection and interdiction increasingly complex.