Background of the operation
Delhi Police Launches Operation Shastra Against Online Threats: The Delhi Police launched Operation Shastra to counter the growing misuse of social media platforms for intimidation and fear creation. The operation aims to stop individuals from projecting criminal dominance through online content. Such activities are increasingly linked with real-world law and order challenges.
Police officials highlighted that online displays of weapons and abusive language often escalate public fear. These digital acts can embolden criminal networks and disturb community confidence. The operation seeks to break this chain at an early stage.
Static GK fact: Preventive policing focuses on stopping crimes before they physically occur rather than reacting after incidents.
Focus on social media based fear-mongering
Operation Shastra specifically targets fear-mongering through social media posts. Individuals posting photographs with weapons, violent gestures, or threatening captions fall under police scrutiny. These acts are treated as criminal signalling rather than casual online behaviour.
Senior officers clarified that such posts are not protected expressions. They are seen as attempts to assert unlawful influence in society. Monitoring these signals helps police assess emerging threats in advance.
Static GK Tip: Criminal signalling refers to symbolic acts used by offenders to display power or intimidate rivals and the public.
Leadership and strategic intent
The operation was announced by S K Jain, Joint Commissioner of Police, Southern Range. He stated that digital intimidation has direct consequences on ground-level policing. The strategy aims to dismantle fear networks operating through online platforms.
Police leadership emphasised restoring public confidence as a key objective. Visible enforcement action sends a message that cyber intimidation will not be tolerated. This approach aligns with modern urban policing needs.
Static GK fact: Metropolitan police forces often divide jurisdictions into ranges for better administrative control.
Scale of mobilisation and coordination
Operation Shastra involved a massive and coordinated mobilisation. More than 500 police teams and over 2,000 personnel were deployed simultaneously across Delhi. This ensured swift identification and verification of suspicious online profiles.
The coordinated structure allowed multiple districts to act at the same time. Such synchronised action reduces the chance of offenders evading enforcement. It also demonstrates institutional readiness against digital crimes.
Static GK Tip: Large-scale policing operations rely on decentralised execution with centralised command control.
Enforcement outcomes and legal action
During the drive, police scrutinised over 6,000 social media profiles. Based on verified evidence, 61 FIRs were registered under applicable legal provisions. These cases led to the apprehension of 83 accused persons.
Authorities confirmed that cases were booked under relevant sections of criminal law. The operation established accountability for online misconduct with offline consequences. This marked a strong enforcement milestone.
Static GK fact: FIR stands for First Information Report and is the first formal step in criminal investigation.
Preventive policing and public safety approach
Operation Shastra reflects a broader shift towards preventive and intelligence-led policing. Cyber monitoring is now closely integrated with conventional law enforcement. This integration allows early detection of criminal trends.
By acting against online intimidation, police aim to reduce fear before it manifests physically. The operation reinforces that digital spaces are subject to the same legal discipline as physical spaces. Public safety remains the central objective.
Static GK Tip: Preventive operations are essential in densely populated urban regions to maintain law and order stability.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Delhi Police Launches Operation Shastra Against Online Threats:
| Topic | Detail |
| Operation Name | Operation Shastra |
| Launching Authority | Delhi Police |
| Objective | Curb online intimidation and criminal signalling |
| Announcement Authority | Joint Commissioner of Police, Southern Range |
| Personnel Deployed | Over 2,000 police personnel |
| Teams Involved | More than 500 teams |
| Social Media Profiles Checked | Over 6,000 |
| FIRs Registered | 61 cases |
| Accused Apprehended | 83 individuals |
| Policing Approach | Preventive and cyber-integrated policing |
