33 suspects arrested in Khanewal during largest single-day crackdown
A large-scale anti-narcotics operation by the Crime Control Department (CCD) has resulted in the killing of 10 alleged ice dealers and the arrest of 33 more suspects across Punjab. The coordinated sweep targeted drug networks operating in Gujranwala, Rahim Yar Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Hafizabad, and Sialkot, marking one of the province’s most aggressive crackdowns in recent months.
According to CCD officials, the operation specifically targeted notorious methamphetamine (ice) suppliers who had repeatedly evaded arrest.
In the district-wise breakdown, three suspects were killed in Mandi Bahauddin, two in Gujrat, while Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and Sialkot each reported one suspect killed. An additional two were killed in Rahim Yar Khan, raising the total to ten.
Officials say the raids were conducted simultaneously, aiming to dismantle active distribution networks before they could regroup or flee.
Police Claim Suspects Were Killed by Accomplices
CCD officials maintain that all the raids were arrest-focused operations, not intended as lethal engagements.
However, according to officials, the suspects and their associates allegedly opened fire on the raiding teams, triggering armed encounters.
Authorities further claim that the deceased suspects were killed by the bullets of their own accomplices, not by CCD personnel; a recurring explanation in several Punjab encounter reports.
Follow-up raids are underway to arrest the fleeing accomplices involved in the shootouts.
33 Ice Dealers Arrested in Khanewal
In a separate but connected action, CCD personnel in Khanewal arrested 33 suspected drug dealers during an intensified crackdown, one of the largest single-day sweeps in the district.
Officials say this is part of a broader provincial strategy to break major drug supply chains operating within Punjab.
The department says its operation will continue “until the region is cleared of large-scale narcotics networks.”
WHY THIS OPERATION MATTERS
1. Punjab’s Rising Ice Crisis
Methamphetamine use has been rapidly increasing across Punjab, particularly in smaller districts. This operation signals the government’s recognition of how severe the threat has become.
2. Pattern of Police Encounters Under Scrutiny
The repeated claim that suspects were killed by accomplices — not police — raises questions about transparency and accountability, especially following past controversies over “encounter killings.”
3. Pressure to Deliver Fast Results
Provincial law enforcement faces mounting public pressure to curb meth distribution. These crackdowns indicate a shift toward aggressive, high-impact operations.
4. Targeting Supply Chains Instead of Street Dealers
The focus on “wanted suppliers” suggests CCD is attempting to dismantle upper-level distribution networks rather than arresting low-level users — a more strategic approach.
5. Risk of Escalation
While operations may disrupt drug networks, the violence of these encounters highlights the dangers involved and the potential for further escalation if networks retaliate.