Patna, Jan 1 (IANS) Bihar Police Thursday launched a special drive named "Operation Mahavir" against trafficking of children, an official said.

"We have launched 'Operation Mahavir' to trace and free children who are victims of human trafficking," said Additional Director General of Police (Weaker Section) Arvind Pandey.

He said police will observe 2015 as the year to free child victims of trafficking.

A team of policemen has been set up in each of the 38 districts to crack down on gangs involved in trafficking of children.

Police will closely monitor places like brick kilns, roadside hotels, markets, bus stands and railway stations to trace missing children.

The Bihar government had told the Supreme Court in October 2014 that 2,241 children who went missing from the state have been recovered, while at least 617 were still untraced.