Gujarat Police have detained 501 Bangladeshi nationals suspected of illegally residing in India during a statewide crackdown launched under "Operation Delta Hunt", officials said on Thursday. The operation, which began in the early hours of June 4, is being described as one of the largest recent drives against illegal immigration in the state.
501 detained individuals
According to the office of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, police teams conducted coordinated raids across multiple districts and have so far verified and detained 501 individuals allegedly living in Gujarat without valid documents.
“The message from Gujarat Police is clear: the only response to illegal infiltration is strict action," Sanghavi said in a post on X.
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Officials said the operation was meticulously planned and executed using a combination of technical surveillance, intelligence inputs and extensive field verification. Raids and checks were carried out simultaneously across several urban and industrial centres in the state.
A majority of those detained were reportedly working as daily-wage labourers and workers. Authorities said the highest concentrations of suspected undocumented migrants were found in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara and Bharuch.
Live : Press Briefing regarding "Operation Delta Hunt". https://t.co/6R1OcjlnVX
— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) June 3, 2026
What is ‘Operation Delta Hunt’?
Operation Delta Hunt is a special campaign launched by the Gujarat Police to identify, verify and take action against foreign nationals allegedly residing in the state illegally. As part of the drive, police teams are conducting large-scale verification of identity documents, residential records and employment details.
Officials revealed that the investigation extends beyond those already detained. The backgrounds of more than 6,200 individuals are currently being examined to determine their citizenship status and legal residency.
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'Operation will remain active...'
Police are also probing the role of contractors, employers and property owners who may have provided accommodation or employment to undocumented migrants without carrying out mandatory police verification procedures. Authorities said separate legal action could be initiated against those found to have facilitated illegal stays or employment.
The operation comes amid a broader nationwide focus on illegal immigration and border security, with several states undertaking verification drives targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
While authorities have not yet disclosed how many of the detainees may face deportation proceedings, officials indicated that the verification process and legal action will continue in the coming days. The Gujarat government has maintained that Operation Delta Hunt will remain active until all suspected cases of illegal residency identified during the investigation are thoroughly examined.
