Speaking at the annual conference State Police Chiefs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again expressed concern at the rising fraud of digital arrest and cybercrime. He asked the convert challenges police to harness the double AI power of Artificial Intelligence and Aspirational India and into opportunities. He also expanded on the concept of SMART policing.
Maoist rebels received severe blows in Telangana and Chhattisgarh and lost a total of 14 cadres and leaders in two separate encounters in the last fortnight.
Significantly, the National Investigation Agency secured the extradition of a LeT terrorist from Rwanda. In a trend, Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) began pushing into Jammu and Kashmir people posing as drug addicts.
Andhra Pradesh police has constituted a dedicated EAGLE force to counter the continuing menace of narcotics. On the other, the Centre for Narcotics Drug Studies had been established in the Northeast in association with Rashtriya Raksha University. Huge quantities of narcotics have been seized in the Andaman Sea and in India-Sri Lanka waters as well as in other parts of the country.
The IA has searched multiple locations in several States in cases relating to terror-gangster nexus, human trafficking and cyber frauds. Separately, searches were made at 10 locations in cases relating to trans-national cyber frauds worth Rs 117 cr, while an old man in Gujarat lost Rs 1 cr in digital arrest.
PM Modi urges Police Chiefs to convert challenges into opportunity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 59th All India Conference of Directors General/ Inspectors General of Police. He expressed concern on the potential threats generated on account of digital frauds, cyber-crimes and AI technology, particularly the potential of deep fake to disrupt social and familial relations. As a counter measure, he called upon the police leadership to convert the challenge into an opportunity by harnessing India’s double AI power of Artificial Intelligence and ‘Aspirational India’. [1]
He expanded the mantra of SMART policing and called upon the police to become strategic, meticulous, adaptable, reliable and transparent. Appreciating the initiatives taken in urban policing, he suggested that each of the initiatives be collated and implemented entirely in 100 cities of the country. He called for the use of technology to reduce the workload of the constabulary and suggested that the Police Station be made the focal point for resource allocation.
During the Conference, in depth discussions were held on existing and emerging challenges to national security, including counter terrorism, left wing extremism, cyber-crime, economic security, immigration, coastal security and narco-trafficking. Deliberations were also held on emerging security concerns along the border with Bangladesh and Myanmar, trends in urban policing and strategies for countering malicious narratives.
Seven Maoists killed in Telangana
Seven members of the banned CPI (Maoist), including a senior leader carrying a Rs 20 lakh reward, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Mulugu district of Telangana, on December 1, 2024, in the deadliest such gunfight in the State in several years. [2]
The two sides engaged during a combing mission by the Greyhounds, Telangana’s anti-Maoist force, which launched an operation after Maoist rebels killed two tribal youth on November 23. The encounter coincides with the Maoists’ People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) martyrs’ week.
Seven Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh’s ‘Maad Bachao Abhiyan’, a campaign to reclaim the Maoist citadel of Abujhmad aka Maad, notched another success, on December 12, 2024, when security forces shot dead seven members of the banned CPI (Maoist) in a gun battle that lasted over seven hours in a dense forest. [3] Police said the encounter began around 3 am after a large contingent of security forces, comprising personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Kondagaon, Bastar, Narayanpur and Dantewada districts along with the state’s Special Task Force (STF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), reached the area following information about the presence of the Maoists.
13 Maoists arrested in Chhattisgarh
Police in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, in three separate places arrested 13 cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres, including one carrying a reward of INR 200,000 on his head, on November 29, 2924. Three cadres were arrested from Tarrem police station limits and five each from Awapalli and Jangla police station limits. Two tiffin bombs, explosive material, detonating cord, as well as publicity material were seized from them. [4]
NIA gets LeT terrorist extradited from Rwanda
In a major breakthrough in the Bengaluru prisons terror conspiracy case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday successfully secured the extradition of a key Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) fugitive, Salman Khan, from Rwanda. [5]
Part of a terror radicalization and recruitment case of Bengaluru Central Prison, Salman was taken into custody by the NIA, with the assistance of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Interpol and NCBs, on 27th November 2024, and brought to India. He is the 17th accused to be extradited/deported in major NIA cases since 2020.
HM terrorist convicted
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP), sentenced a militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), identified as Kamruz Zaman, resident of Hojai district, Assam, to multiple sentences of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and life imprisonment along with Rs 10,000 fine each, in a HM terror conspiracy case. [6] He was convicted in a criminal conspiracy to carry out terror attacks in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country. The case was re-registered by NIA after taking over the investigation from Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Lucknow in September 2018.
Terrorist killed; property of terror-associates attached
Army personnel and J&K police in a joint operation killed a terrorist in an encounter in Dachigam forest, Harwanr area, Srinagar, on December 2, 2024. [7]
Separately, Anantnag Police, on December 2, attached the residential property of a terror associate, under Section 25 of the UAPA. [8]
Police in Anantnag district, on December 7, 2024, attached properties worth Rs 4.3 crore in its crackdown on drug smugglers and peddlers. A police statement said that they have intensified crackdown on drug trafficking in Anantnag district where properties worth Rs 4.3 cr of drug peddlers have been attached.
ISI pushing drug addicts as couriers into J&K
Media reports of December 8, 2024, said Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has resorted to infiltrating individuals under the influence of drugs or posing as mentally disturbed into India to utilise them to deliver critical messages to hardcore terrorists incarcerated in the country’s prisons.
Officials said that more than 10 such cases have been reported since July this year (2024) in which Pakistani nationals have entered India from their country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Many of them have been sent to prisons in Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan. [9]
OGWs, terror associates arrested in J&K
On November 27, 2024, ten Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of terror groups were arrested in today a massive crackdown aimed at dismantling the terror ecosystem in Kathua district. The sweeping operation at 17 locations was jointly conducted by police and CRPF in general area of Malhar, Bani and upper reaches of Billawar besides border areas of Kana chack, Haria chack, Spral Pain and Chack Wajir Lahbju to uncover networks providing logistic and financial aid to terrorist groups. [10]
Police, on November 28, 2024, arrested a hardcore terror associate, Firdous Ahmed Wani, a resident of Mangota, Marmat from Bhaderwah, Doda district, Jammu. He was in constant touch with his handlers across the border through various social media channels and was trying to revive militancy in the area. [11] Also on the same day, Abdul Satar, a terrorist associate, was arrested in Udhampur district. [12]
Police in Kulgam district, on December 5, 2024, arrested Altaf Ahmad and Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), and recovered two AK-56 rifles, four AK-series magazines, and 79 live cartridges. [13]
ZUF-NSCSM (IM) engage in gunfight
A fierce gun battle was reported, on November 28, 2024, between cadres of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM), Sangji and Dollang villages, Khoupum police station limits, in Manipur’s Noney district. No casualties were reported, yet. [14]
The ZUF and NSCN-IM are currently engaged in peace talks with the Union government. However, the two groups appear to be vying for territorial dominance in the region.
NIA raids Goalpara, Assam
In a major anti-terror joint operation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Assam Police Special Task Force (STF) conducted extensive raids in Goalpara district, Assam, December 12, 2024, targeting areas including Tukura, Barpahar, and Govindpur. [15] The raids, part of a broader operation against militant networks with alleged links to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), led to the arrest of three individuals, identified as Sahanur Alam, Abu Taleb and Zaynal Avedin. The arrests aligns with a larger investigation by the NIA, which is probing radicalisation and recruitment efforts by JeM across India.
AP forms EAGLE to combat narcotics
The Andhra Pradesh has formed an elite unit, EAGLE, to combat narcotics menace in the State. The EAGLE – Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement shall towards the eradication of cultivation, transport, sale/supply, consumption of all narcotic substances, including ganja. EAGLE was formed to ensure public health, social security and stability across the State. The Anti Narcotics Task Force has been reorganised and renamed EAGLE.[16]
It shall be headed by an Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank officer and shall a dedicated police station in Amaravati, the State capital, anti-narcotics units in all the 26 districts and five fast-track-courts.
Centre for Narcotic Drugs Studies in Northeast
A media report of December 2, 2024, said the Union government has tasked the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) with conducting research in pharmacology and toxicology with a focus on analysing the societal impact of illegal drugs in the country’s north east.
“The newly established Centre for Narcotics and Drug Studies (CNDS) will conduct cutting-edge research in pharmacology and toxicology, with a focus on analysing the production, availability, and societal impact of illegal drugs in the region”. [17]
Drugs worth Rs 100 cr seized in Telangana
A large quantity of drugs was seized in Sangareddy district during an operation at the Madigi Interstate Check post in Mogudampalli Mandal. The authorities conducted the searches based on prior information about drugs being transported. The operation involved the DRI, Narcotic Drugs Control, and Central Vigilance teams. [18] The drugs were seized while being transported in a lorry, but the driver and cleaner fled the scene. The seized drugs are valued at Rs. 100 cr. It was discovered that they were being transported from the Kakinada port in Andhra Pradesh to Mumbai. The lorry has been taken to the Chiragpally police station.
500 kg narcotics seized in India-Sri Lanka waters
The Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a press release, on November 29, 2024, two fishing vessels were intercepted on November 23 and 24, following information received from the Sri Lankan Navy. Extensive surveillance was undertaken by Indian Naval Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft, based on inputs from the Information Fusion Centre (Indian Ocean Region), Gurugram, and an Indian Naval ship was deployed to augment efforts. Approximately 500 kg of narcotics (Crystal Meth) was seized in the operation. [19]
Drug peddlers booked in J&K
Police, on December 1, 2024, booked 10 notorious drug peddlers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT-NDPS Act) in Srinagar.
Police said they have been involved in the peddling of narcotics among the youth of Srinagar on an alarming scale. “Besides, they were also involved in several NDPS Act cases of various police stations of Srinagar. Despite several NDPS Act cases registered against them, they did not mend their ways after getting bailed out from courts,” police said. [20]
CBI searches 10 locations in cyber fraud cases worth Rs 117 cr
The CBI, on December 4, 2024, conducted searches at 10 locations in Delhi and surrounding areas in connection with a case of transnational cyber-enabled financial frauds involving RS 117 crore, officials said. The searches were conducted during an ongoing investigation into a case registered on a complaint from the Union Home Ministry's Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). [21]
It was alleged in the FIR that unidentified organised cybercriminals and suspected foreign actors were engaged in systematic financial fraud across India.
Old man duped of one crore in digital arrest in Gujarat
Am media report of November 30, 2024, said a 90-year-old Gujarat man was duped of overRs one crore by fraudsters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers. The conmen placed the senior citizen under a ‘digital arrest’, claiming the old man was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. According to the Surat Crime Branch, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the scam, which reportedly had ties to an international gang operating out of China. The mastermind, Parth Gopani, is suspected to be hiding in Cambodia.
NIA searches 22 locations in six States for human trafficking, cyber fraud
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on November 28, 2024, conducted extensive searches at 22 locations in six states in a human trafficking and forced cyber frauds case. The premises of 17 suspects were searched in Bihar, UP, MP, Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab as part of the agency’s ongoing investigations in the case, linked with an organised trafficking syndicate engaged in trafficking of Indian youth to Southeast Asian countries.
The suspects have been identified as sub-agents, associates and relatives of Cambodia based Indian agents involved in trafficking Indian youth to Cambodia. These suspects were involved in trafficking the job seeking youth to foreign countries, and managing their financial transactions and other logistics, as per NIA investigations. The searches led to the seizure of several digital devices including mobile phones, hard drives, memory cards, laptop and incriminating documents, along with property and financial documents. Further, Rs. 34,80,800 cash has also been recovered. [22]
NIA searches in Punjab, Haryana for terror-gangster nexus
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on December 11, 2024, Wednesday searched multiple locations in Punjab and Haryana, in connection with the gangster-terror nexus case against operatives of the proscribed Khalistan Terrorist Force (KTF) outfit, including Canada-based Arsh Dala. [23] Extensive searches were conducted by NIA teams at the premises of suspects linked toarrested accused Baljeet Maur, as well those connected with Dala and KTF. The searches covered the districts of Bhatinda, Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Ferozepur, Sangrur and Mansa in Punjab and Sirsa in Haryana.
NIA Court convicts three Bangladesh infiltrators
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Mumbai, has sentenced to five years imprisonment three Bangladeshis for illegal infiltration into India and possession of fake documents. [24] Mohammed Habibur Rehman Habib @ Raj Jesub Mandal, Hannan Anwar Hussain Khan @ Hannan Baburali Gazi, and Mohd Azarali Subhanallah@ Raja Jesub Mandal were convicted and sentenced to five years in jail, along with Rs 2,000 each as fine.
The case had originated from the FIR registered originally by Pune Police in March 2018 on the basis of inputs regarding several Bangladeshi nationals staying in Pune without valid documents, and abetting and aiding members of ABT, a front organization of the proscribed terror organisation, the Al Qaida.
Human trafficking accused convicted
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on December 9, 2024, made a major breakthrough in the Laos human trafficking and cyber slavery case with the arrest of an absconding accused, who was nabbed with the support of the Delhi Police Special Cell. [25] Kamran Haider’s arrest marked a significant step by the agency towards dismantling the international human trafficking syndicate. Along with co-accused, Kamran was directly involved in arranging flight tickets and documents for the victims, and in facilitating their illegal border crossings, with the help of contacts in the Golden Triangle Region.
Endnotes
[1] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2079566®=3&lang=1
[2] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/key-maoist-leader-among-7-killed-in-telangana-encounter-101733079445404.html
[3] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/security-forces-exchange-fire-with-maoists-in-chhattisgarhs-abujhmad-9720325/
[4] https://www.indiatvnews.com/chhattisgarh/thirteen-naxalites-including-one-with-rs-2-lakh-bounty-arrested-by-security-forces-in-bijapur-latest-updates-2024-11-29-964092
[5] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1846_1_PR281120242.pdf
[6] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1853_1_PR101220242.pdf
[7] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/terrorist-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-in-jks-srinagar/#google_vignette
[8] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/terror-associates-property-worth-5-cr-attached-under-uapa-in-jks-anantnag/
[9] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/isi-pushes-drug-addicts-as-terror-couriers/
[10] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/10-held-in-kathua-crackdown/
[11] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/terror-associate-held-suspects-being-questioned/
[12] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/terror-associate-detained-under-psa/#google_vignette
[13] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/two-terror-associates-arrested-with-ak-47-rifles-in-jks-kulgam/
[14] https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur-zuf-and-nscn-im-engage-in-fierce-gun-battle.html#google_vignette
[15] https://assamtribune.com/assam/major-anti-terror-raid-nia-assam-stf-arrest-three-with-jem-links-in-goalpara-1560883
[16] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-launches-elite-anti-narcotics-unit-eagle-to-fight-drug-trafficking/articleshow/115778559.cms
[17] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rashtriya-raksha-university-drug-smuggling-northeast-research-9701928/
[18] https://www.thehansindia.com/telangana/massive-drug-seizure-in-sangareddy-rs-100-crore-worth-drugs-confiscated-929444
[19] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2078843
[20] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/police-arrest-3-peddlers-10-others-booked-under-ndps/
[21] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cbi-conducts-searches-in-delhi-ncr-over-rs-117-crore-cyber-crime-case-7174063
[22] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1847_1_PR281120243.pdf
[23] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1856_1_PR111220243.pdf
[24] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1854_1_PR11122024.pdf
[25] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1852_1_PR10122024.pdf
