J&K’s Gateway Under Scanner as LG’s War on Drugs Intensifies
Authorities tighten vigil at Lakhanpur, commercial vehicles face intensified checks as administration moves to break narcotics supply chains entering Kashmir
Srinagar: The Union Territory’s main entry point at Lakhanpur has turned into a high-alert anti-narcotics zone as authorities intensify checking of vehicles, particularly commercial carriers, under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration’s expanding war against drugs in Jammu and Kashmir.
From trucks loaded with goods to oil tankers and passenger vehicles, nearly every vehicle entering Jammu and Kashmir through the Lakhanpur corridor is now undergoing rigorous inspection amid heightened efforts to choke narcotics supply routes feeding the growing drug menace in the region.
Officials said security personnel, police teams, anti-narcotics units and enforcement agencies have significantly strengthened round-the-clock surveillance at Lakhanpur, which serves as the primary road gateway to Jammu and Kashmir from the rest of the country. Commercial vehicles remain under special focus as traffickers often attempt to conceal narcotics consignments within cargo and goods transport vehicles.
“Lakhanpur is the first line of defence in stopping narcotics from entering Jammu and Kashmir,” a senior official said. “The checking mechanism has been intensified and every suspicious movement is being monitored closely.”
The intensified highway surveillance forms part of the larger anti-drug campaign aggressively pursued by the LG administration since April 13 under Nasha Mukht Abhiyan. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has repeatedly described drugs as a serious threat to society and has called for a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach to eradicate the menace from Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the ongoing campaign, authorities have launched a series of crackdowns against alleged drug peddlers and narcotics networks across the Union Territory. Police and anti-drug agencies have seized large quantities of heroin, charas, brown sugar and psychotropic substances in recent months, while several accused have been booked under stringent laws.
The administration has also adopted an aggressive approach by targeting properties allegedly acquired through drug money and initiating attachment proceedings against individuals accused of involvement in narcotics trade. In some cases, passports, driving licences and other official documents of alleged drug peddlers have also come under scrutiny as part of the broader crackdown.
Officials said highway monitoring has emerged as one of the most crucial aspects of the anti-drug strategy because many narcotics consignments seized in the past were found to have entered Jammu and Kashmir through interstate transport routes.
At Lakhanpur, the impact of the intensified vigil is clearly visible. Long queues of trucks and other vehicles can be seen waiting for clearance as security teams carry out detailed inspections, cargo verification and questioning of drivers wherever necessary.
Authorities are also using modern surveillance tools and randomised checking procedures to prevent traffickers from exploiting predictable patterns at the entry point. Additional manpower has been deployed to strengthen coordination among police, intelligence agencies and transport authorities operating at the interstate border.
The growing anti-drug campaign has found support among large sections of society, particularly parents and civil society groups concerned over rising substance abuse among the youth.
“Drugs have destroyed many families in Kashmir,” said a resident from Kathua. “Strict checking at Lakhanpur is necessary because stopping the supply chain is the only way to control the problem.”
Transporters, despite facing delays due to the intensified checking, also acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
“We may have to wait longer, but everyone knows why this is important,” said a truck driver near the checkpoint. “If stricter checking can save the younger generation from addiction, people should cooperate.”
Officials said the intensified checking and surveillance at Lakhanpur will continue in the coming days, with authorities likely to introduce more stringent monitoring measures as part of the administration’s continuing war against drugs in Jammu and Kashmir.
