Haryana Police begin ‘Op Trackdown’ to jail fugitives in recent shootings

The campaign directs field units to draw up and act upon lists of the “worst” offenders in each jurisdiction, moving swiftly through legal mechanisms such as bail cancellation, invocation of organised crime provisions and seizure of assets derived from criminal activity.

In a directive communicated to district police, DGP OP Singh has instructed that absconding accused in gun-related crimes be “put behind bars without delay.” Those yet to be identified must be traced, while identified absconders are to be located and apprehended.

The order also addresses accused out on bail: history sheets are to be opened or updated; if they are found active in crime. Action has been mandated not only against principal offenders but also against those who shelter, protect or finance them.

Responsibility is defined at every tier. Station House Officers (SHOs) and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) have been told they will be held responsible for preventing such crimes in their areas. Each SHO/DSP team must prepare a “worst 5” list for the police station jurisdiction and ensure those listed are in custody.

At the district and zone levels, “worst 10” lists will be compiled, with Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) accountable for outcomes.

The Special Task Force (STF) will create and act upon a statewide “worst 20” list, leading comprehensive operations for their arrest.

Inspector General (IG) Crime Rakesh Arya has been tasked with coordinating the operation across districts and specialised units. Citizens have been encouraged to share information directly with him on +91 90342 90495, with assurances of anonymity. The campaign also seeks cooperation from neighbouring states—Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and the Union Territories of Delhi and Chandigarh—to aid tracking, pursuit and custody transfers.

The instruction sits within a broader communication shift inside Haryana Police that prioritises clarity, timeliness and field ownership over lengthy internal notes.

Officers are reminded to keep focus on the immediate tasks: preparing lists of “worst offenders”, executing targeted arrests, moving courts with updated activity logs for bail cancellation and using organised crime provisions with evidence of planning and financing. The instruction also cautions against spectacle-driven action, asking teams to prioritise timing, precision and legal robustness.

Operational success will be measured through custody figures for the “worst 5/10/20”, the speed and quality of related legal actions, and the prevention of new violent incidents during the 16-day window. By naming responsible officers for each list and outcome, the directive aims to close the gap between headquarters’ orders and ground execution.

The citizen channel is central to the push. By placing the IG Crime’s mobile number in the public domain and promising confidentiality, the police leadership seeks to widen the flow of actionable intelligence.