Yash Khajuria
Leh: In a move aimed at strengthening the fight against drug abuse, the Union Territory of Ladakh has established a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), with 14 police officers and personnel posted to the newly created Police Station, ANTF Ladakh, under an order issued by the Police Headquarters.
The deployment was ordered through Order No. 286 of 2026, issued on May 26, under which personnel drawn from various police formations, including district police units, CID and the IRP 25th Battalion, have been transferred to the specialised anti-narcotics unit with immediate effect. The force will function from the old CID building in Leh until permanent infrastructure is established.
The newly constituted unit is headed by DySP Nilza Angmo, who has been posted as Station House Officer of Police Station, ANTF Ladakh. The order directs all transferred personnel to report immediately, reflecting the urgency attached to operationalising the force amid growing concerns over the spread of narcotic substances in the region.
The establishment of the ANTF follows notifications issued earlier this year by the Home Department of the UT Administration and marks the creation of a dedicated policing structure focused exclusively on narcotics-related enforcement, intelligence gathering and preventive action.
Welcoming the development, former Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson described the creation of the specialised unit as an important step towards safeguarding society from the threat of drug abuse.
He said the initiative reflects the commitment of the Union Territory Administration under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to address emerging social challenges through focused institutional mechanisms. According to him, the establishment of the ANTF comes at a time when concerns over the misuse and circulation of narcotic substances are being increasingly felt even in remote regions.
Adv. Gyalson extended his congratulations to the Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh Police and the UT Administration for establishing the unit and expressed hope that the initiative would strengthen efforts to prevent drug abuse and protect young people from its adverse consequences.
He also appreciated the efforts of the team led by DySP Nilza Angmo, noting that the newly formed unit had moved swiftly to begin field-level operations. He expressed confidence that proactive policing, coupled with public awareness and community participation, would enhance the effectiveness of anti-drug measures across the Union Territory.
Calling for collective action, Adv. Gyalson urged youth, parents, civil society organisations, religious institutions and community leaders to support the campaign against narcotics. He said the objective of building a drug-free Ladakh could only be achieved through cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the wider community.
With the Anti-Narcotics Task Force now operational, Ladakh has put in place a dedicated enforcement mechanism aimed at curbing drug-related activities and strengthening preventive efforts as part of a broader strategy to address substance abuse in the Union Territory.
