India launches Operation P-Hunt against online CSEAM, 8 arrested
Kerala Police CCSE arrested 8 people in statewide Operation P-Hunt 26.3 against online CSEAM, starting 7:00 AM IST on 21 September 2026. Officers registered 135 FIRs, confiscated 212 electronic devices including mobiles, and generated 9 SBR reports. The drive reflects India’s strong stance on CSEAM; Meta and Google have agreed to report such material directly to Indian authorities in a first-of-its-kind arrangement.
Operation snapshot
Kerala Police’s Counter Child Sexual Exploitation (CCSE) Centre has reported a statewide crackdown under Operation P-Hunt 26.3, aimed at online child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM). The drive began at 7:00 AM IST on 21 September 2026. Across police stations in Kerala, investigators registered a large volume of cases and seized electronic evidence in a coordinated sweep.
Key figures
• 8 people arrested
• 135 FIRs registered
• 212 electronic devices confiscated (including mobile phones)
• 9 SBR reports generated
[IMAGE HER
E]
About the operation
Operation P-Hunt is framed as a statewide drive against CSEAM. The official CCSE graphic carries the Kerala Police emblem and the units motto: Zero tolerance towards online crimes against children.
What CCSE said
As part of Operation P-Hunt 26.3, eight people were arrested in a statewide crackdown. During the operation, which began at 7:00 AM on September 21, 2026, 135 cases were registered across various police stations, and 212 electronic devicesincluding mobile phones were seized.
India’s stance on CSEAM reporting
India has taken one of the world’s strongest policy positions against online child sexual exploitation and abuse material, insisting that platforms cannot treat CSAM / CSEAM as a private moderation problem alone. In a first-of-its-kind arrangement globally, Meta and Google have agreed to report such material directly to Indian authorities, so that actionable tips reach law enforcement in India without waiting on overseas intermediaries. That direct-reporting channel strengthens state units such as Kerala’s CCSE and national cybercrime mechanisms when they run drives like Operation P-Hunt.
Context
CCSE is a Kerala Police wing focused on protecting children from online sexual abuse. It works with national and international partners on tracing offenders and removing CSAM / CSEAM from the digital space. Citizens can report related crimes via the national portal cybercrime.gov.in or the nearest police station.