Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Police’s flagship anti-gangster campaign ‘war against gangsters’ has completed 200 days, marking one of the state’s most extensive and sustained crackdowns on organised crime. During the operation, police conducted 1,09,087 raids across Punjab, arrested 1,532 proclaimed offenders, initiated action against 58,212 criminals and their associates, and seized a massive stockpile of illegal weapons, explosives, narcotics, cash and other criminal assets.
Launched under the leadership of the Bhagwant Mann government, the campaign is an intelligence-driven initiative aimed at dismantling organised crime syndicates through targeted enforcement, interstate and international coordination, financial investigations, and technology-based policing.
No Safe Haven for Gangsters : DGP
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the operation has evolved beyond conventional policing and now targets the entire ecosystem that supports organised crime.
“The first 200 days of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ have demonstrated the impact of sustained, intelligence-led policing. Our strategy goes beyond arrests to dismantling the ecosystem that enables organised crime by targeting associates, finances, logistics, communication channels and overseas linkages. Punjab Police remains committed to ensuring that there is no safe haven for gangsters operating within or outside the country,” he said.
Action Against More Than 1 Lakh Persons
According to official figures:
1,532 proclaimed offenders were arrested.
Action was initiated against 58,212 persons, including 853 gangsters and their associates and 57,359 wanted criminals.
As part of preventive policing, 28,201 persons were detained.
18,514 persons were verified and later released.
Overall police action covered 1,04,927 individuals, including 2,959 gangsters and their associates and 1,01,968 wanted criminals.
Huge Recovery of Weapons and Explosives
Punjab Police also targeted the operational capabilities of organised gangs by cutting off access to weapons and logistics. The recoveries included:
990 illegal firearms
242 sharp-edged weapons
2,739 rounds of ammunition
315 magazines
2.5 kg explosives
15 hand grenades
Officials said these seizures have significantly weakened the firepower of organised criminal networks operating in the state.
Massive Crackdown on Drug-Gangster Nexus
The campaign also intensified action against the organised crime–drug trafficking nexus. Police recovered:
774.38 kg heroin
480.23 kg opium
7,266.26 kg poppy husk
26,91,455 intoxicant tablets
In addition, authorities seized ₹1.73 crore in drug money, ₹1.80 crore in cash, and 413.85 grams of gold, dealing a blow to the financial channels sustaining organised crime and narcotics trafficking.
AGTF Focuses on Financial and Digital Networks
Additional Director General of Police, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Pramod Ban, said the campaign now focuses on dismantling financial, digital and overseas networks rather than merely arresting individual offenders.
“Organised crime today functions through financial networks, digital communication and handlers operating from foreign soil. Our investigations combine field operations with financial tracking, digital intelligence and coordination with Central agencies. This approach has enabled Punjab Police to crack extortion rackets, identify foreign-based handlers and pursue the deportation and extradition of wanted criminals,” he said.
He added that the campaign is also aimed at discouraging youth from being influenced by the glamour associated with gangster culture, which he described as an illusion leading only to crime and destruction.
International Operations Bring Back Fugitive Gangsters
One of the campaign’s major achievements was the successful deportation of fugitive gangster Bhuvnesh Chopra alias Ashish Chopra from Central Asia and gangster Jobanjit Singh alias Joban Billa from Jakarta, Indonesia.
The operations were executed by the AGTF in coordination with OFTEC Punjab and Central agencies, highlighting Punjab Police’s growing ability to pursue wanted criminals beyond India’s borders and bring them back to face the law.
Liquor, Drones and Criminal Infrastructure Seized
Apart from gangsters and drug traffickers, the operation also resulted in the recovery and destruction of:
64,402.77 litres of illicit liquor
34,840 bottles and 926 boxes of illegal liquor
4,978 mobile phones allegedly used in criminal activities
1,781 vehicles
61 drones
Police said these actions have disrupted criminal infrastructure, weakened organised crime networks and strengthened public safety across Punjab.
Citizens Invited to Share Information
To increase public participation, the AGTF has launched a dedicated anonymous tipline — 93946-93946 — through which citizens can confidentially share information about wanted criminals, gangsters and related activities.
The task force has also introduced a reward policy offering cash incentives for credible information leading to action against wanted gangsters and criminals, while ensuring complete confidentiality of informants.
With 200 days of continuous operations, Punjab Police has positioned ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ as a long-term, intelligence-led campaign aimed not only at arresting gangsters but at **dismantling the financial, logistical and international networks that sustain organised crime in Punjab.
