Operation Delta Hunt: Gujarat Detains 501 Suspected Illegal Bangladeshi Nationals in Statewide Crackdown

Gandhinagar, June 2026 : Gujarat Police on Thursday detained 501 individuals suspected of being illegal Bangladeshi nationals during a large-scale statewide enforcement operation conducted under the banner of ‘Operation Delta Hunt’, officials said.

The coordinated exercise was carried out simultaneously across several districts as part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to identify and verify undocumented foreign nationals residing in Gujarat. The operation involved extensive participation from district police units, crime branch teams, cyber cells, and special operations groups.

Authorities said the action followed intelligence-based assessments and verification drives aimed at tracking individuals suspected of living in the state without valid documentation. Early-morning searches and inspections were conducted at residential colonies, labour camps, construction sites and other locations identified through surveillance and intelligence inputs.

According to officials, Operation Delta Hunt forms part of a broader security and immigration enforcement initiative currently underway in Gujarat. Investigators have been using a combination of telecom data analysis, field intelligence, document scrutiny and digital verification techniques to identify suspected illegal immigrants.

Police sources stated that the latest operation follows earlier phases of the same campaign in which thousands of individuals were screened and several hundred detained after their credentials and residency status came under scrutiny.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi described the drive as an intelligence-led initiative designed to strengthen internal security and identify undocumented residents living in the state.

Officials said the operation is not limited to identifying individuals suspected of illegal stay. Investigators are also examining possible support networks that may have facilitated their presence through forged documents, accommodation arrangements or employment opportunities.

As part of the probe, law enforcement agencies are scrutinising identity records, including Aadhaar and other government-issued documents, in cases where fraudulent procurement is suspected. Authorities are also looking into individuals and groups allegedly involved in helping undocumented migrants obtain false identification or secure housing and jobs.

Police indicated that the verification process remains ongoing and that those detained will undergo detailed questioning and document checks before further legal action is initiated. Additional suspects may also be called in for verification as investigations continue.

Earlier phases of Operation Delta Hunt had focused on major urban centres such as Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot, where large-scale screening exercises were conducted. The latest statewide operation significantly expanded the scope of enforcement activities.

Authorities said detailed district-wise figures and information regarding legal proceedings against those detained are expected to be released after the completion of the verification process.

Officials maintained that the crackdown is part of Gujarat’s continuing efforts to address illegal immigration and ensure compliance with immigration and residency laws while identifying any organised networks involved in facilitating unlawful stay within the state.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)