New Delhi, Sep 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the seizure of more than 500 kg of drugs and the arrest of five Pakistani nationals in the Arabian Sea off Lakshadweep was the outcome of 16 days of effective coordination among Indian security agencies.

Reacting to the Indian Coast Guard’s interception of the vessel carrying drugs, Shah also said the Narendra Modi government was determined to protect the country’s youth from the scourge of drugs.

“Upholding a stellar example of coordination and cooperation among agencies, the 16-day-long operation also seized an Iranian boat,” Shah said in a post on X.

In a joint operation involving the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Indian Coast Guard and central intelligence agencies, 526 kg of methamphetamine and heroin were seized from an Iranian boat in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), he said.

The vessel was intercepted 160 nautical miles northwest of Lakshadweep and 490 nautical miles southwest of Mumbai. “Five Pakistani nationals have been arrested, with further investigation underway to identify the wider network and its intended receivers,” Shah said.

Pakistan’s role in narcotics smuggling once again came to light following the massive seizure in the Arabian Sea of Lakshadweep.

The seizure followed an extensive operation by the security agencies against suspected narcotics trafficking in the Arabian Sea. The operation highlights the role of coordinated surveillance and intelligence-sharing among agencies in tackling drug smuggling through India’s maritime routes.

The ICG intercepted a Pakistani vessel off the Lakshadweep coast in the Arabian Sea after a hot pursuit, seizing 526 kg of high-grade narcotics valued at over Rs 3,000 crore and apprehending five Pakistani nationals on September 25.

Acting on inputs regarding an illicit consignment traversing key maritime corridors, ICG established radar contact with the suspicious dhow west of the Lakshadweep archipelago before initiating a hot pursuit.

“Specialised boarding teams executed a high-seas tactical assault, securing the vessel and detaining all five crew members without incident,” the ICG said in an official statement.

A thorough search of the dhow yielded the illicit drugs, including high-grade heroin and methamphetamine.

The ICG officials said that the five Pakistani nationals were apprehended following a dramatic chase across international waters.

After sustained aerial and surface tracking, the Coast Guard units engaged in hot pursuit as the vessel attempted evasive manoeuvres. Specialised boarding teams executed a high-seas tactical assault, securing the vessel and detaining all five crew members without incident, the ICG said.

The Coast Guard reaffirmed its mission readiness, stating that Bharatiya Tatrakshak remains resolutely postured to secure national maritime frontiers, combat organised crime, and dismantle transnational cartels in support of the nationwide drug-free India campaign.

The apprehended vessel and the crew have been escorted to Mumbai harbour, where a multi-agency probe is underway. The agencies are now trying to map out the syndicate’s financial trail and domestic contribution networks.

The Narendra Modi government had launched a massive campaign against drugs with the promise that India would be drug-free. Home Minister Shah had recently said that in order to accomplish this mission, the agencies would work at the district level as well.

An official said that with major cities under the radar of the agencies, the Inter Services Intelligence-backed narcotics cartels had decided to move operations to smaller towns. The target is to break 100 major international and inter-state drug syndicates which have been indulging in narcotics smuggling in India.

Statistics show that between 2014 and 2026, over 1.18 crore kg valued at around Rs 1.84 lakh crore has been seized by the various agencies in the country.

This has been a result of close coordination between the state and central agencies. Further, the agencies have also been coordinating with their international counterparts to bring back drug lords and their cronies who are operating from across the borders.

Authorities said that between 2014 and 2026, 42.47 lakh kg of drugs valued at Rs 89,896 crore had been destroyed. Annual narcotics seizures reached an all-time high in 2024, when 1,330 to 1,691 tonnes were seized, marking a 55 per cent increase over 2023.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the government has been working closely with other countries.

During all conversations that are held with international leaders, India has been clear on its commitment to dismantle the drug network.

“Further, destroying the narcotics cartels also deals a severe setback to the terror networks. The terror networks are completely reliant on the money earned through narcotics trade. Hence, dealing a blow to the narcotics cartels automatically becomes a setback for the ISI-controlled terror groups which look to hit India,” the official said.

Patna, Sep 30: A motorbike-borne man and woman allegedly snatched a gold chain worth around Rs 7 lakh from a person outside his residence in Patna’s Kurji area on Wednesday morning, prompting police to launch an investigation.

The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Digha police station at around 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to the victim, he was standing outside his house when the duo approached him on a motorcycle and allegedly snatched the chain from his neck before fleeing.

Following the incident, Digha Station House Officer Avnish Kumar reached the spot and spoke to the victim.

Digha Police are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the suspects and establish the route they took while escaping.

The police are also gathering other details related to the incident and are expected to take further action after receiving the victim’s formal complaint. Once the complaint is filed, Patna police will register an FIR under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sahita against two unknown individuals.

Digha SHO Avnish Kumar clarified that reports claiming the chain was snatched at gunpoint were incorrect.

He said the matter was under investigation and that an FIR would be registered on the basis of the victim’s complaint.

The incident comes days after Kankarbagh police arrested seven people allegedly linked to chain-snatching cases.

Among those arrested was a pair reportedly referred to as ‘Bunty-Babli’ by police.

However, police have not established any connection between the suspects arrested in Kankarbagh and the Kurji chain-snatching case.

Investigators are currently focussing on the CCTV footage and other available evidence to identify the man and woman allegedly involved in Wednesday’s incident.

The latest case has renewed concerns among residents over incidents of chain snatching and other street crimes involving motorcycle-borne suspects in different parts of Patna.

In recent months, incidents of chain-snatching and other street crimes have been reported frequently in Patna. The alleged involvement of women as pillion riders in such crimes has emerged as a particular concern for the police.

According to police officials, women riding as pillion passengers may attract less suspicion than two men travelling together on a motorcycle, which can make it more difficult for police to identify suspects during such incidents.

Chikkaballapur (Karnataka), Sep 30: A 15-year-old Class 9 student of a government run Morarji Desai Model Residential School in Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka has allegedly been sexually assaulted by the school principal, Eshwara Reddy, according to a complaint filed with the police on Wednesday.

An FIR has been registered against the principal in connection with the alleged incident at the school located near the 11th Mile in Gorlummanahalli village of Shidlaghatta taluk.

According to the student’s statement, the incident allegedly took place around 2.30 p.m. on September 26 in the school’s medicine room.

The girl said she had gone to give medicine to an unwell Class 6 student when the principal allegedly called her into the room, behaved inappropriately and sexually assaulted her. She also alleged that he threatened her against disclosing the incident to anyone.

The student reportedly informed her classmates about the incident, following which the information reached the teachers and her parents.

According to the FIR, the girl’s parents visited the school on September 27, learnt about the alleged incident and subsequently approached the police. On September 28, the girl’s statement was recorded in Chikkaballapur in the presence of child welfare officials.

Dibburahalli police in Shidlaghatta taluk have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the alleged sexual assault.

In her complaint, the 15-year-old victim stated: “I am a Class 9 student at Sri Morarji Desai Model Residential School. I am one of the 250 students studying at the school. The principal of the school misbehaved with me on Saturday (September 26) and again this week. He kissed me, put his hand around my waist and touched my chest. He also gagged my mouth.

“These memories are imprinted on my mind. Against this background, no one should have to undergo the experience I had. No one should be subjected to the injustice I faced. Please help me get justice.”