In one of the biggest anti-illegal immigration drives in recent months, Gujarat Police detained 362 suspected Bangladeshi nationals from different parts of the state. Of these, 166 were found in Ahmedabad, the highest number among all districts.
The statewide operation, named Operation Delta Hunt, was launched following intelligence inputs and technical surveillance. Police teams carried out simultaneous raids in several cities and districts, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Bharuch and other parts of Gujarat.
According to officials, the 362 detainees include 103 men, 188 women and 71 children. All of them are currently undergoing verification to determine their nationality and legal status in India. Authorities said legal action and deportation procedures will begin after the verification process is completed.
Police suspect that many of the detainees had been living in Gujarat for years using forged or illegally obtained Indian identity documents. During the investigation, officials found that several individuals possessed Aadhaar cards and voter ID cards that are now under scrutiny.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik visited the Crime Branch headquarters and reviewed the ongoing verification process. Officials said more than 325 suspicious individuals were initially rounded up in Ahmedabad, and after detailed checks, 166 were confirmed to be Bangladeshi nationals allegedly staying in India illegally.
Investigators are now examining how these individuals entered India, where they lived, the work they were engaged in and how they managed to obtain identity documents. Police are also probing the role of local agents and facilitators who may have helped them secure housing, jobs, SIM cards and forged documents.
The investigation has revealed that many of the detainees allegedly entered India through West Bengal several years ago. Authorities believe they later travelled to Gujarat in search of employment and settled in different cities across the state.
Officials are also tracking financial transactions linked to the suspects. Preliminary findings suggest that money earned in India may have been sent to Bangladesh through informal channels, intermediaries based in Kolkata and, in some cases, mobile applications.
State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the Gujarat government is committed to identifying every illegal infiltrator and taking action according to the law. He stated that those staying illegally in India would be traced, detained and deported after completion of the legal process.
Apart from the detainees, police are investigating individuals who may have helped them obtain fake documents or provided shelter without proper verification. Authorities warned that anyone found assisting illegal immigrants would face legal action.
As part of the operation, police have prepared a database of Indian mobile numbers linked to contacts in Bangladesh. Officials said information related to at least 6,200 suspected Bangladeshi nationals was compiled through technical analysis and verification exercises.
Special teams are continuing raids and verification drives across Gujarat. Surveillance has been increased at transport hubs, highways and other sensitive locations to prevent suspects from moving between districts or states.
Officials described the operation as ongoing and said more detentions could take place as investigations continue. The focus now remains on identifying illegal immigration networks, document forgery rackets and local facilitators who may have helped foreign nationals settle in Gujarat.
Also Read: Original Aadhar Cards Confiscated From Five Bangladeshis In Surat https://www.vibesofindia.com/original-aadhar-cards-confiscated-from-five-bangladeshis-in-surat/
