Operation Shastra: Delhi Police Cracks Down on Digital Gun Culture and Abusive Content

In an era where social media often blurs the line between personal expression and criminal intimidation, the Delhi Police has launched a massive enforcement drive titled “Operation Shastra.” This specialized initiative is designed to dismantle the growing trend of “digital hooliganism,” specifically targeting individuals who flaunt firearms online and use abusive language to intimidate the public.

Targeting the “Atmosphere of Fear”

Speaking to the media, Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range), SK Jain, emphasized that the core objective of Operation Shastra is to sanitize the digital space. In recent months, there has been a surge in profiles where individuals post photos or videos with illegal weapons—often accompanied by aggressive soundtracks or abusive captions—to project a “gangster” persona.

According to Mr. Jain, these activities are not harmless posts; they are calculated efforts to create an atmosphere of fear at the grassroots level. By glorifying weapon culture, such users often incite violence or influence impressionable youth toward a life of crime.

A Massive Tactical Deployment

The scale of Operation Shastra reflects the Delhi Police’s commitment to public safety. The crackdown was not a small-scale sting but a coordinated surge involving:

• 500+ Specialized Teams: Spread across the Southern Range and beyond.
• 2,000+ Police Personnel: Mobilized to track, identify, and apprehend offenders.

The operation relied heavily on digital forensics and social media monitoring. The police scanned more than 6,000 social media profiles across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) to build a comprehensive database of offenders.

Major Success: 83 Apprehended

The results of the operation have been swift and impactful. Following the scanning process, the Delhi Police registered 61 FIRs (First Information Reports) under relevant sections of the Arms Act and the IT Act. As a direct result of these raids, 83 accused individuals have been apprehended so far.

Beyond the arrests, the police are also working to take down the offending content to prevent further circulation. This operation serves as a stern warning to “digital influencers” and local toughs that the virtual world is under constant surveillance.

A Message to the Public

Joint CP SK Jain reiterated that the police will maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward anyone using social media to threaten the peace of the national capital. Operation Shastra marks a pivotal shift in policing, where cyber-patrolling is now as critical as physical patrolling in maintaining law and order.