Gandhinagar, June 3 (IANS) A combination of telecom analysis, technical surveillance, human intelligence, and a statewide network of checkpoints enabled Gujarat Police to launch ‘Operation Delta Hunt’, an operation that has so far led to the detention of 362 Bangladeshi nationals allegedly residing illegally in India and the questioning of more than 782 other suspected individuals.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the operation was prepared over at least 72 hours and involved coordinated action by police units across Gujarat.

More than 6,200 suspicious individuals were screened before field teams began raids in multiple locations.

According to state police, the operation was driven by intelligence generated through technical inputs and field verification.

Director General of Police (DGP) K. L. N. Rao said extensive telecom analysis was conducted with support from the Cyber Centre of Excellence and local intelligence networks.

“A database of Indian mobile numbers that had communicated with Bangladeshi numbers was prepared. Through this methodology, a database of more than 6,200 suspected Bangladeshis was compiled, and ground-level action was initiated to dismantle illegal networks,” Rao said.

Officials said the operation was designed to prevent suspects from escaping once enforcement teams moved in.

Simultaneously with the raids, police established checkpoints at railway stations, bus terminals, district borders, highways, and other entry and exit points across the state.

Sanghavi said the strategy proved effective, with 18 individuals who allegedly attempted to flee being apprehended during the operation.

“As soon as raids began in cities, blockades were activated at bus stations, highways, and railway stations. The operation was planned in such a manner that those trying to escape could also be intercepted,” he said.

The operation extended beyond major urban centres and covered the entire state. “Action was taken in districts wherever suspicious inputs were received,” he said.

While the largest numbers were detected in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Bharuch, police teams also conducted checks in smaller districts, including Dang.

Sanghavi noted that the Gujarat Police had created a dedicated intelligence mechanism focused on illegal immigration and related networks.

Investigators have also gathered information suggesting that some detainees had entered India several years ago through different parts of West Bengal and subsequently obtained local documents that were allegedly used to secure Aadhaar cards and other identity records.

Calling the exercise a proactive policing initiative, Sanghavi said the operation would continue across Gujarat in the coming days.

“This is only the beginning. The operation is continuing today and will continue in the future across every corner of Gujarat,” he said, adding that police would continue verification drives and intelligence-led investigations aimed at identifying additional illegal residents and dismantling support networks.

–IANS

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