Ahmedabad: In a major statewide crackdown on illegal immigration, Gujarat Police apprehended 501 illegal Bangladeshi nationals within 24 hours under a special drive titled ‘Operation Delta Hunt’, launched across the state on June 4.

The operation was carried out simultaneously across multiple districts and cities in Gujarat to identify and detain foreign nationals residing illegally in the state. The drive is part of an intensified effort by the police to curb illegal infiltration and dismantle networks facilitating unlawful entry and residence.

As part of the operation, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, led by Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sharad Singhal, arrested 166 Bangladeshi nationals from areas including Chandola Lake, Narol and Vatwa. During verification, several of the detained individuals were found in possession of forged Indian identity documents allegedly obtained to conceal their nationality and establish illegal residence.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that many of the infiltrators were brought into India by agents on the pretext of providing domestic or other forms of employment. However, they were allegedly pushed into illegal activities after their arrival. Police have now intensified efforts to identify and trace the agents and networks involved in facilitating their entry, shelter and documentation.

Officials said further investigation is underway to uncover the broader interstate and cross-border network behind the infiltration racket. Authorities are also scrutinising the forged documents recovered during the operation to determine how the infiltrators obtained Indian identity documents. DeshGujarat