With New Year celebrations around the corner, Delhi Police stepped up security measures across the capital by rolling out an intensified overnight operation aimed at preventing crime during the festive surge. The special drive, named Operation Aaghat 3.0, was executed by South East Delhi Police through coordinated raids, road checks and surveillance in crime-prone localities.

Officials said the operation resulted in the arrest of 285 individuals under various laws, including the Arms Act, Excise Act, NDPS Act and Gambling Act. In addition, 504 people were taken into preventive custody to deter potential offences linked to large gatherings and late-night festivities.

Police also acted against repeat and habitual offenders, detaining 116 listed bad characters. The crackdown further led to the arrest of 10 suspects involved in property crimes and five vehicle lifters, targeting theft networks operating in the district.

Substantial recoveries were made during the drive. Law enforcement teams seized 21 country-made firearms, 20 live cartridges and 27 knives, along with quantities of narcotics and illicit liquor believed to have been stockpiled ahead of the celebrations.

Stolen property recovery formed another key focus. Police traced and recovered 310 mobile phones that had been reported lost, robbed or snatched. In a parallel action against vehicle theft, 231 two-wheelers and one car were seized or recovered during night-long checks.

Overall, 1,306 individuals were rounded up under preventive provisions as police teams carried out verifications, intelligence-based raids and vehicle inspections across South East Delhi.

Senior officials said Operation Aaghat 3.0 was planned as a deterrent exercise to maintain law and order during the New Year period, which typically witnesses increased movement, late-night activity and a higher risk of criminal incidents.