The clock hasn’t struck midnight yet, but Delhi Police aren’t waiting to ring in the new year they’re clearing the streets first. In a massive overnight sweep aimed at preventing holiday chaos before it starts, officers have rounded up nearly 300 people and seized enough weapons, drugs, and illegal booze to stock a small criminal enterprise.
The Delhi Police’s South-East District launched “Operation Aaghat 3.0” on Friday (December 26), deploying teams across the city’s notorious crime hotspots in a coordinated blitz designed to take potential troublemakers off the streets before New Year’s Eve celebrations kick into high gear. By Saturday morning, officials were tallying the results: 285 people formally arrested on charges ranging from weapons possession to drug trafficking, plus over 1,300 more detained under preventive measures essentially picked up because police believe they might cause problems if left to their own devices as 2026 approaches.
The operation cast a wide net, targeting everyone from organized crime figures to petty street criminals and repeat offenders whose names police know by heart. The goal was simple: disrupt any criminal activity being planned for New Year’s Eve before it could happen. And judging by what officers pulled off the streets, there was plenty being planned.
The operation’s major seizures include:
- The Arrests: 285 people formally charged with crimes, while 504 more were detained preventively. Among those swept up are 116 “Bad Characters” police terminology for habitual offenders they’ve dealt with before along with 10 known property thieves and five suspected car and motorcycle thieves.
- Weapons Cache: Officers confiscated 21 country-made pistols (crude firearms manufactured illegally), 20 live rounds of ammunition, and 27 knives. Not exactly an arsenal, but enough firepower to cause serious trouble on a crowded New Year’s Eve.
- Massive Liquor Haul: Police seized 12,258 quarters of illicit alcohol that’s over 3,000 liters of bootleg booze that was likely headed for underground parties or illegal sale at marked-up prices.
- Drug Recovery: 6.01 kilograms of ganja (marijuana) was confiscated, cutting off supply chains ahead of the holiday rush.
- Stolen Property Returned: In what will be welcome news for victims of theft, 310 stolen mobile phones were recovered, along with 231 two-wheelers and one four-wheeler representing countless New Year gifts potentially returned to their owners.
- Gambling Crackdown: Raids on illegal gambling operations netted ₹2,30,990 in cash, breaking up betting rings that typically see heavy action during holiday celebrations.
The operation required intensive police work across vulnerable neighborhoods like Sarita Vihar, Jamia Nagar, and Ambedkar Nagar. Officers questioned over 1,000 suspects, followed up on intelligence tips, and set up checkpoints to intercept criminal activity before it could unfold.
“This operation is a significant step in maintaining law and order. Operation Aaghat 3.0 was designed as a preventive and deterrent exercise to ensure public safety as the city approaches New Year celebrations, a period that traditionally sees a spike in crime,” stated Hemant Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner of Police for the South-East District.
“We’re not just reacting to crime anymore we’re getting ahead of it. The message is clear: if you’re planning trouble for New Year’s, we’ve already found you.”
Senior police official involved in the operation
“Aaghat” which translates to “Impact” in English has become Delhi Police’s go-to strategy for major public events, a recurring show of force meant to reassure law-abiding citizens while putting criminals on notice. The “3.0” designation signals this is an evolved version, incorporating more technology, better intelligence gathering, and coordinated strikes across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. It’s policing by overwhelming presence flood the streets with cops, make arrests visible, and hope the message sinks in.
The timing reflects genuine concern. Delhi has been on heightened alert for weeks now as the year-end festive season brings massive crowds to malls, markets, and public gathering spaces. Past New Year’s Eves have seen everything from drunken brawls to thefts targeting distracted revelers to more serious violent crimes. Police brass are determined not to let 2025 end or 2026 begin with headlines about mayhem in the capital.
With over 1,500 additional police personnel already deployed specifically for New Year’s Eve security, authorities have made clear this is just the beginning. Similar “surgical strikes” against suspected criminals will continue through the weekend and right up until the ball drops. Integrated checking posts have been established at Delhi’s borders to intercept trucks carrying illegal liquor from neighboring states where it’s cheaper or regulations are looser. Officers are checking vehicles, questioning drivers, and generally making it harder to bring contraband into the city unnoticed.
Residents are being urged to stay vigilant and report anything suspicious through the emergency helpline 112 police want eyes and ears everywhere as the city prepares to celebrate.
Whether you see this as reassuring public safety measures or heavy-handed policing likely depends on which side of the law you’re on. But one thing is certain: if you were planning to cause trouble in Delhi on New Year’s Eve, the police already know about it and they’ve spent the last 48 hours making sure you won’t get the chance.
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