Alleged attacks by suspected drug traffickers are escalating amid ‘Operation Toofan’, forcing the police to alter their operational strategy. Officers are exercising greater caution as resistance to the anti-drug crackdown has intensified.

Police sources said the cyber cell had already identified several persons who had been in touch with inter-State and inter-district synthetic drug traffickers by analysing call detail records with the support of Cyberdome officials.

A senior officer attached to the anti-narcotics squad said drug traffickers were trying to create fear by launching counter-attacks on police personnel to weaken the intensified crackdown. He added that the State Police Chief and the District Police Chiefs would closely monitor the situation while keeping a watch on those who incite violence to intimidate officials.

In Kozhikode district, there were three major incidents in the past one month in which the suspects were nabbed within a few days of each incident. Some of those who allegedly conspired against enforcement officials are facing investigation.

“Incidents of attacks on police personnel on duty and the spread of false information to mislead the public during enforcement actions are common. While police officers know how to deal with such tactics, the public are often unaware of them and may end up supporting drug peddlers without realising how easily facts can be manipulated,” said an inspector with the shadow patrol team. He added that patrol squads would receive support from the district-level strike squad in such situations to ensure adequate manpower for handling critical situations at any time.

Officers with the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force said round-the-clock vigilance is now in place, with greater focus on checking more vehicles during flash inspections on highways and other identified stretches. They added that changing hotspots are identified and mapped every day to facilitate surveillance by enforcement squad members and plain-clothes police personnel attached to the special squads under various police stations.

With the intensified crackdown, the District Police Chiefs of Kozhikode City and Kozhikode Rural have instructed all police stations to immediately report incidents involving attacks on police personnel on duty and take prompt action to identify and apprehend those responsible, with a view to boosting the confidence of enforcement squads. A meeting of Station House Officers in the city and rural areas of the district will also be convened soon to review the progress of the enforcement drive and discuss issues faced by the squads to facilitate immediate remedial measures.