Operation Shastra

The Delhi Police has launched a large-scale crackdown under ‘Operation Shastra’ to curb the misuse of social media for creating fear and intimidation. The operation targets individuals who post photographs with weapons and use abusive or threatening language on online platforms, aiming to deter criminal signalling and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

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Focus on Fear-Mongering Through Social Media

The operation was announced by S. K. Jain, Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range), who highlighted the growing misuse of digital platforms for projecting criminal dominance.

According to officials, individuals often use social media to:

• Display illegal weapons
• Threaten rivals
• Intimidate local communities
• Promote gang-related imagery

Such activities, though virtual, frequently translate into real-world law and order challenges in Delhi, making proactive intervention necessary.

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Large-Scale Mobilisation and Coordinated Action

Operation Shastra involved extensive mobilisation of manpower and technological resources.

Key Operational Features:

• More than 500 police teams deployed
• Over 2,000 personnel involved
• City-wide digital surveillance
• Real-time verification of suspicious profiles

The coordinated approach enabled authorities to monitor, analyse, and act against thousands of suspect social media accounts within a short time frame, ensuring swift enforcement.

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FIRs Registered and Accused Apprehended

As part of the operation, the Delhi Police scrutinised more than 6,000 social media profiles suspected of promoting criminal behaviour.

Enforcement Outcomes:

• FIRs registered: 61
• Accused apprehended: 83 persons
• Multiple illegal activities detected
• Several online networks disrupted

The action marks a major step in tackling the misuse of digital platforms for intimidation and unlawful activities.

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Significance of Operation Shastra

Operation Shastra reflects the evolving nature of policing in the digital age, where online activities increasingly influence offline crime patterns.

Strategic Importance:

• Strengthens cyber surveillance mechanisms
• Deters online criminal signalling
• Improves public trust in policing
• Enhances preventive law enforcement
• Integrates technology with traditional policing

The initiative also aligns with India’s broader efforts to ensure responsible use of social media and maintain digital public order.

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Impact on Public Safety and Governance

By targeting online intimidation, the Delhi Police aims to create a safer digital and physical environment. The operation sends a strong message that social media cannot be misused as a tool for spreading fear, extortion, or gang influence.

It also highlights the growing importance of cyber policing in urban governance and internal security management.

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Conclusion

Operation Shastra represents a proactive and technology-driven approach by the Delhi Police to address emerging threats in the digital space. By combining large-scale mobilisation with cyber surveillance, the initiative has effectively curbed fear-mongering and criminal posturing on social media. The success of this operation strengthens public confidence and demonstrates how modern policing must adapt to evolving modes of crime in the digital era.

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