In a significant first for Punjab, the Khanna police have successfully installed a facial recognition system (FRS) to strengthen surveillance and improve the identification of suspects. This system has been developed on the lines of the advanced setup recently deployed by the Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar to identify history-sheeters and wanted criminals.The use of the technology is being seen as a major step towards modernising policing and making it more effective.The Khanna police conducted the trial run of this technology during the security arrangements made for the state-level function held at Isru village in memory of Goa’s freedom hero Shaheed Karnail Singh. The system was installed in a high-tech van from which live scanning was conducted. Even CCTV cameras were also installed at the venue.The system, the brainchild of Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police Darpan Ahluwalia, was developed in-house by the cyber and technical wing of the Khanna police.Speaking to The Tribune, SSP Ahluwalia said the biggest highlight of the security arrangements at Isru this year was the deployment of the facial recognition system, marking its first use in Punjab during a security operation. Through the technology, arrangements were made to identify suspects and wanted criminals using CCTV footage and live camera feeds.The SSP said after a photograph and related details of a wanted person were uploaded to the FRS, the system generated a unique 512-dimensional facial embedding. It then continuously scans faces captured through dedicated CCTV cameras and live feeds. If a potential match is detected, the system immediately issues an alert displaying the individual’s name, match percentage, location, and the date and time of detection. Every alert is automatically logged on the dashboard, enabling police officers to verify and investigate further.”Our high-tech van had also identified one snatcher roaming near the venue at Isru after receiving alert in the system. He was immediately detained,” said Ahluwalia.Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, who attended the state-level function, also appreciated the security arrangements of the Khanna police.”The use of modern technology alongside traditional security measures by the Khanna police during the state-level function at Isru demonstrates the district police administration’s commitment to adopting new technologies for law and order and public security. The force is making continuous efforts in this direction and is succeeding,” said Sond.The Khanna police chief said the initiative was also brought to the notice of Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, who appreciated it and sought a presentation before the Technical Services Wing of the Punjab Police. If the wing finds the system technically viable, it could be implemented across Punjab.