Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], November 8 (HBTV): Haryana Police has launched a 16-day state-wide crackdown titled Operation Trackdown to identify, pursue, and jail fugitives linked to recent shooting incidents. The operation, running from November 5 to 20, establishes a strict chain of accountability from police station chiefs to district and state leadership.
The campaign combines tough directives with clear operational tasks, directing field units to prepare and act on lists of the ‘worst’ offenders in their jurisdictions. Officers have been instructed to use all available legal mechanisms, including bail cancellation, organised crime provisions, and seizure of proceeds from crime.
In a directive issued to district police on Wednesday, the Director General of Police (DGP) instructed that absconding accused in gun-related crimes be ‘put behind bars without delay’. Unidentified suspects are to be traced using investigative tools and human intelligence, while known absconders must be located ‘from the depths’ and apprehended.
The directive also targets accused individuals currently out on bail. Officers have been ordered to update or open history sheets and move courts for bail cancellation if such individuals are found to be active in criminal activity. In cases involving systematic or networked crime, the use of organised crime sections and asset seizures has been mandated. Action will also be taken against those who shelter, protect, or fund offenders.
Station House Officers (SHOs) and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) will be held personally responsible for preventing such crimes in their areas. Each SHO/DSP team must prepare a ‘worst 5’ list within their jurisdiction and ensure those listed are taken into custody. At the district and zonal levels, ‘worst 10’ lists will be prepared, with Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), and Commissioners of Police (CPs) accountable for results.
The Special Task Force (STF) will coordinate a statewide ‘worst 20’ list, leading targeted operations to apprehend these individuals. The directive emphasises preventing listed offenders from committing new crimes and ensuring accountability for past offences, with officers facing consequences if recidivism occurs under their watch.
Inspector General (IG) Crime Rakesh Arya has been assigned to coordinate the operation across districts and specialised units. Citizens have been encouraged to share relevant information directly with him on +91 90342 90495, with a guarantee of confidentiality.
The Haryana Police will also collaborate with neighbouring states — Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Union Territories of Delhi and Chandigarh — to enhance surveillance, track fugitives, and facilitate custody transfers.
Officers have been reminded to prioritise timing, precision, and legal soundness in their operations, avoiding spectacle-driven actions. The leadership also plans to monitor field progress closely.
The initiative’s broader aim is to tighten the law enforcement net around habitual offenders, strengthen investigative coordination, and build citizen trust by encouraging public participation in maintaining law and order.
(ANI)