Operation Vajra Prahar

Police conduct massive cordon searches across Andhra Pradesh

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Police across Andhra Pradesh launched a large-scale enforcement drive under “Operation Vajra Prahar”, conducting cordon and search operations in multiple districts to curb crime, narcotics trafficking, and illegal activities. The special operation, carried out jointly by the state police and the EAGLE (Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement)teams, involved more than 100 special teams conducting coordinated raids and inspections across the state.

Authorities said the operation began early in the morning on the instructions of district Superintendents of Police, with officers conducting intensive searches, vehicle checks, and verification of suspicious individuals in identified sensitive areas.

In a dramatic development during the operation, a gun scare occurred in Vijayawada when a suspect allegedly attempted to open fire on police personnel. According to police officials, a cordon search was being carried out at Balaji Hotel near the Vijayawada bus stand when officers noticed a man behaving suspiciously. When the police and EAGLE team attempted to question him, the suspect allegedly tried to fire at the officers.

Police quickly overpowered and apprehended the accused before any harm could occur. The suspect was identified as Murali, a resident of Warangal in Telangana. Officers recovered a 9 mm pistol along with five rounds of ammunition from his possession. Police said the weapon did not discharge because the trigger had not been properly pressed, preventing a bullet from entering the chamber.

As part of the drive, police seized several vehicles lacking proper documentation and took multiple suspects into custody for questioning. In Jangareddygudem town of Eluru district, police teams carried out searches in the Ramudukunta Cheruvu area, forming nearly ten teams to comb through the locality. Similarly, raids were conducted in Wambay Colony in Srikakulam city, Adi Andhra Street in Tekkali, and Sudikonda in the Kasibugga-Palasa municipal limits. During the inspections, police seized liquor bottles and several two-wheelers without valid documents. In Markapuram district headquarters, officers confiscated 22 two-wheelers that lacked proper registration or documentation.

Police intensified their crackdown on drug-related activities during the operation. In Hindupur town of Sri Sathya Sai district, a cordon search was conducted in Model Colony, where officers seized 60 motorcycles and one car that did not have proper documentation. Cordon searches were also carried out in Madanapalle, Angallu, and Rayachoti towns of Annamayya district, where police interacted with residents and administered a pledge against drug consumption.

Alongside enforcement measures, police also conducted awareness campaigns. In Ujilipeta in Chirala town, officers seized 25 motorcycles, two cars, and an auto-rickshaw that lacked proper documentation and urged residents to inform authorities if they notice suspicious individuals.

Speaking about the operation, EAGLE chief and Inspector General A. K. Ravi Krishna said the primary objective of the drive is to achieve a “Ganja-free Andhra Pradesh.” He revealed that police have identified 849 drug hotspots across the state where cannabis trafficking and distribution activities were previously reported. Special surveillance and cordon searches are being conducted in these areas to curb narcotics supply networks.

The cordon searches were also carried out extensively in the undivided Vizianagaram district, where police inspected nearly 1,200 houses in Jonnagiri village as part of the anti-narcotics crackdown. Officials said similar operations will continue across the state in the coming weeks as part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen law enforcement and combat drug trafficking.