Op Gun Down: Baddi police target online display of firearms, 9 booked

In a sweeping crackdown on the glorification of firearms, the Baddi police launched “Operation Gun Down” on Sunday, registering cases against nine individuals for openly displaying weapons on social media platforms. The accused had been posting photos and videos with pistols, rifles and revolvers, a move police said not only breached the law but also encouraged violence and promoted a gun culture among the youth.

Baddi SP Vinod Dhiman said the campaign was aimed at creating a “fear-free environment” by curbing the misuse of social media to showcase weapons. “Such posts instill fear among the public and motivate youngsters toward crime. Displaying firearms online is a clear violation of the law,” he asserted.

The operation, backed by the police cyber cell, tracked and profiled multiple social media accounts to identify those uploading firearm-related content. Raids were carried out simultaneously in several areas, leading to the registration of five cases under the Arms Act, two each in Manpura and Nalagarh and one in Baddi.

During the raids, police seized a significant cache of weapons used in creating the posts. The recoveries included three rifles, two pistols and several used cartridges. The Manpura police confiscated one .12 bore rifle and a 30.06 bore rifle, while Nalagarh police seized a .44 pistol and another .12 bore rifle. At a separate location, officers found a .32 bore pistol along with eight used cartridges.

Among nine booked, six have been arrested — Naman Kumar of Bhogpur, Ravindra Singh, alias Pindi, and Bhupinder Singh of Tikkari, Shivdatt of Kishanpura, Gurudev, alias Gautam, of Dabalmajra, and Arshad Mohammad, alias Achchar, of Kasamvowal. The police are now verifying whether the individuals held valid gun licences and under what circumstances they were obtained. Requests for cancellation of licenses will be forwarded to the concerned authorities where violations are established.

SP Dhiman confirmed that the campaign is still underway, with several more suspects under investigation. “We are determined to shield society from the harmful influence of such acts and to discourage youth from associating crime with glamour,” he said. The initiative, the first of its kind in Baddi and perhaps the state, has drawn praise from residents of the industrial belt, where crime-related concerns remain high.