Violent protests at Delhi's Turkman Gate during late-night demolition drive near mosque; police team attacked, 10 booked

• Police used tear gas after stone-pelting during Delhi anti-encroachment drive
• Five police officers sustained minor injuries in the late-night operation
• Demolition near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque done with heavy security and drone surveillance

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A late-night anti-encroachment operation around the historic Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque near Ramlila Ground in Delhi descended into tension early Wednesday, with police firing tear gas shells after sections of a gathered crowd pelted stones and attempted to breach barricades. At least five police officers sustained minor injuries in the incident.

Delhi Police on Wednesday morning registered an FIR against unknown persons in connection with the stone-pelting incident, where a police team was attacked. Nearly 10 people have been detained. Police said that the stone-pelters are being identified with the help of CCTV footage and body camera recordings. The FIR is currently against unknown individuals, although the police have identified four to five suspects.

The drive, conducted by Delhi Municipal Corporation authorities with heavy police deployment, aimed to clear illegal structures, including a banquet hall and a dispensary, from the area. According to a report by News18, approximately 17 bulldozers were used in the operation, which began in the early hours.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the area near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, where MCD, pursuant to the directions of the Delhi High Court, carried out a demolition drive on an encroachment earlier today.

Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police, Central Range, says,… pic.twitter.com/56LD5zeYZg — ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2026

Police officials stated the action was mandated by court orders. Joint Commissioner of Police Madhur Verma affirmed that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in the violence, adding that offenders would be identified through video footage. He emphasised that most disturbances were caused by "outsiders" who would not be spared.

The situation escalated as a large crowd assembled outside the mosque during the demolition, raising slogans against the action. Delhi Police had barricaded all approach roads, but tensions flared near Turkman Gate when attempts were made to break through the cordons.

"About 25-30 people were involved in stone pelting on police teams in which five policemen sustained minor injuries. We had to use tear gas to control the situation," said DCP Nidhin Valsan, as cited by News18. He noted the drive was conducted at night to minimise public inconvenience and that the situation was now "100 per cent under control."

As stone-pelting intensified from the inner lanes of Turkman Gate, police responded with tear gas and gas bullets, creating loud detonations that echoed through the neighbourhood. Teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed to these narrow lanes to quell the unrest.

The operation was monitored extensively using drone cameras and the area was eventually brought under control. The demolition was completed under a heavy security blanket, with police maintaining a strong presence to prevent further outbreaks.