A sweeping anti-narcotics operation by the Crime Control Department (CCD) has resulted in the killing of 18 alleged drug peddlers during police encounters in the last 48 hours across multiple Punjab districts, while 33 more suspects have been arrested in Khanewal.
The coordinated raids were carried out in Gujranwala, Rahim Yar Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Hafizabad, and Sialkot.
According to CCD officials, the operation was launched specifically to apprehend notorious drug dealers who have long evaded arrest. Out of those targeted, 16 drug peddlers have been gunned down in Gujranwala Division alone over the last two days.
CCD officials confirmed that five ice dealers were killed in Mandi Bahauddin, while three suspects were killed in Gujrat.
In other districts, four drug peddlers were killed in Gujranwala, three in Sialkot, one in Hafizabad, and two more in Rahim Yar Khan.
Authorities say the raids intensified as teams moved simultaneously across the region to dismantle active drug networks.
Suspects allegedly killed by accomplices
According to the CCD, all raids were conducted to arrest identified, wanted drug suppliers. However, officials claim the suspects and their accomplices offered strong resistance, opening fire on the raiding teams.
During the resulting encounters, the suspects were allegedly killed by the firing of their own accomplices, not by police. CCD teams are now conducting follow-up raids to locate and arrest the fleeing associates involved in the shootouts.
33 drug peddlers arrested in Khanewal
In a separate but connected action, CCD officials in Khanewal arrested 33 suspected drug peddlers during an intensified crackdown.
These arrests mark one of the largest single-day anti-narcotics actions in the district.
Authorities emphasize that the crackdown will continue until major drug distribution networks across Punjab are dismantled.
The CCD says the ongoing operation underscores the government’s commitment to combating drug trafficking, especially the surge of methamphetamine (ice) dealing in several districts.
