Reaffirming the Punjab Police’s commitment to modernize policing and strengthen the fight against drug trafficking, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday inaugurated several key infrastructure projects in Faridkot and Moga districts. The visit was part of his broader review of the ongoing statewide anti-drug campaign — Yudh Nashian Virudh.
In Faridkot, DGP Yadav inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cyber Crime Police Station, a hi-tech Conference Hall, and a Briefing Hall with a seating capacity of 250. These facilities are aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and inter-agency coordination. Later in Moga, he inaugurated a futuristic Smart Police Control Room, equipped with cutting-edge surveillance and crime-monitoring technology.
DGP Yadav, speaking to the media in Faridkot, emphasized the transformative role of technology in crime prevention and investigation. “The newly inaugurated Cyber Crime Police Station, equipped with advanced digital forensic tools, will significantly boost our capacity to tackle online financial frauds, identity theft, cyberstalking, and bullying,” he said.
Highlighting early achievements, he informed that Faridkot Police have already returned 260 lost mobile phones to rightful owners and helped recover Rs 90 lakh lost to cyber fraud, thanks to the proactive work of its cyber unit.
Faridkot, the DGP said, has emerged as the top-performing district in Punjab in terms of registering FIRs based on public tips received via the Punjab Government’s anti-drug helpline ‘Safe Punjab – 9779100200’. Since the launch of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ on March 1, 2025, the district has seen over 300 drug peddlers arrested and 150 FIRs registered.
Faridkot SSP Dr Pragya Jain said that the police also recovered 4.7 kg heroin, three kg opium, 130 kg poppy husk, and seized drug money worth Rs 3.83 lakh, apart from freezing assets worth over Rs five crore under the NDPS Act.
DGP Yadav also took part in the ‘Bada Khana’ community lunch hosted by Faridkot Police, using the occasion to foster dialogue between officers of various ranks and build camaraderie essential for field coordination. He later participated in a public outreach program, urging citizens to strengthen the collective resolve in Punjab’s war against drugs.
In Moga, while inaugurating the Smart Police Control Room, the DGP noted that the facility will serve as the technological nerve centre for policing. It includes AI-enabled surveillance systems to monitor public spaces, traffic, and inter-district checkposts.
He also announced the installation of 100 additional CCTV cameras across Moga’s Nihal Singh Wala, Baghapurana, and Dharamkot subdivisions, aimed specifically at curbing drug trafficking and preventing street crimes.
Moga SSP Ajay Gandhi said that under the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, Moga Police arrested 282 drug peddlers, registered 171 FIRs, and seized 6.2 kg heroin, 148 kg poppy husk, 12 lakh intoxicant pills, and Rs 3.11 lakh in drug money. SSP Gandhi expressed gratitude for the DGP’s continued focus on infrastructure and surveillance to counter the drug menace.
During his visit, DGP Yadav also honoured high-performing officers and personnel from both Faridkot and Moga with DGP Commendation Discs and appreciation letters, encouraging the police force to maintain momentum in enforcement and public engagement.