Operation Trishul: India brought back 274 fugitives from 36 countries since 2019, says govt

India's government announced on Tuesday that the country has successfully repatriated 274 fugitives from 36 different nations since 2019. The apprehended individuals were sought in various serious offenses like terrorism, organized crime, narco-terrorism, and other heinous crimes. Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), state police forces, and other agencies collaborated to track down these criminals via satellite imagery, surveillance, and digital footprints.

The operation, dubbed Operation Trishul, utilized INTERPOL's assistance to establish the fugitives' whereabouts using technology and profile-mapping, even when they had altered their identities abroad.

Among the 274 fugitives returned over the past seven years, 17 were linked to terrorism and narco-terrorism cases, 42 were involved in organized crime, gangsterism, and extortion, while 53 were booked for sexual offenses, including those under the Pocso Act. In 2025 alone, the highest number of 70 fugitives were brought back to India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the government's commitment to national security, noting that the number of criminals returned to India has surged since 2019, compared to just four per year during the UPA regime. He emphasized that India's new approach to security, including new laws, institutions, and global partnerships, has effectively plugged every gap in the previous system.

Officials in the security establishment anticipate an even greater number of fugitives being repatriated in the current year, fueled by the government's intensified efforts against drugs and the implementation of a three-year roadmap for all agencies.