Staff Reporter
Panaji/Calangute/
Pernem/Margao
In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Goa police stepped up security measures across both districts by conducting combing operations and nakabandis on the intervening night of Friday
and Saturday.
In North Goa, police rounded up 666 suspected persons, with 28 arrested under preventive action, officials said. In the South, 428 tenants were verified.
The intensified drive aims to strengthen security, gather intelligence, and prevent potential threats, sources added.
In North Goa, combing operations were carried out at Kamrabhat (Miramar), Indiranagar (Chimbel), Merces, St Cruz, Ekta Nagar, Khorlim (Mapusa), Arpora, Nagoa, Auchitwado, Colvale, Vathadev, Bicholim, Hatwada, Valpoi, Aldeia de Goa (Bambolim), Arambol, Donwaddo, Salvador do Mundo, Baga, Sinquerim, and Malpem Railway Station. Police searched for hideouts of anti-social elements during the operations.
In South Goa, operations targeted suspicious vehicles, individuals, and key locations including Zuarinagar, Mongul, Sanguem, Fatorda, Mormugao, and Birla.
Nakabandis were set up at 29 strategic points across North Goa, with police checking vehicles and interrogating suspected individuals. Verification drives for tenants, servants, and foreign nationals — through the filling of ‘C’ forms at hotels, guest houses, and homestays — were also undertaken. Hotel staff were directed to update registers and report any suspicious activity.
Police presence was strengthened at major transit points, including railway stations at Karmali, Tivim, and Pernem (Malpem), and bus stands at Panaji and Mapusa. In South Goa, police heightened screening at hubs such as Margao, Canacona, and Curchorem.
In Calangute, police called in over 80 Kashmiri residents for verification as a precautionary measure. President of the All Goa Kashmiri Traders Welfare Association, Raes Ahmed, also cooperated with police efforts.
Separately, Colvale police, led by PI Sanjit Kandolkar, conducted a security drive at Tivim railway station. Thirty passengers were verified, and five were found with discrepancies in their identification documents. “If needed, they will be arrested,” Kandolkar said, adding that random checks would continue, especially on crowded trains. He urged citizens to report suspicious activities.
Meanwhile, Tiracol Coastal Police carried out a drive along the beaches of Arambol, Keri, and Sweetwater Lake to prevent illegal activities and ensure tourist safety. A team led by PI Vikram Naik patrolled the beaches and acted against illegal hawkers, peddlers, and beggars. Around 40–45 suspected individuals were verified.
“Strict surveillance has been maintained along the beaches to avoid any untoward incidents,” PI Naik said.
