Chandigarh: Punjab Police has concluded Operation Prahaar-3.0, a 16-day intelligence-led statewide enforcement drive that authorities say has delivered a significant setback to organised crime and the gangster-drug nexus, reinforcing the state’s ongoing ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ (War Against Gangsters) campaign.
According to Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the operation was launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann with the objective of strengthening public confidence, enhancing police visibility and dismantling criminal networks operating across Punjab. The campaign covered every police range and commissionerate through a staggered strategy, ensuring sustained pressure on gangsters, drug traffickers and other wanted criminals.
During the operation, more than 10,400 police personnel conducted 5,448 raids across the state, leading to the registration of 958 FIRs. Police arrested 3,949 individuals, including 42 gangsters and their associates, 1,201 drug smugglers and peddlers, 119 proclaimed offenders and 2,587 wanted accused, while preventive action was initiated against 1,520 persons.
The crackdown also resulted in the seizure of 12 illegal weapons, 10.47 kg of heroin, 30 kg of ganja, 259 kg of poppy husk, 21,746 intoxicant tablets and capsules, illicit liquor, and ₹4.03 lakh suspected to be linked to drug trafficking. Authorities also recovered stolen vehicles, mobile phones and other incriminating material connected to organised criminal activities.
Special DGP (Law and Order) Praveen Sinha said the operation dismantled multiple criminal modules allegedly involved in extortion, vehicle theft, illegal de-addiction centres, unlawful sale of pharmaceutical drugs and counterfeit liquor, striking at the broader ecosystem supporting organised crime.
Reaffirming Punjab Police’s commitment, DGP Gaurav Yadav said the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign would continue until the state is completely free from gangsterism. He added that intelligence-led policing, coordinated enforcement and sustained operations would remain central to Punjab Police’s strategy against organised crime.
Punjab Police has also appealed to citizens to support the campaign by anonymously sharing information about gangsters and criminal activities through its Anti-Gangster Helpline (93946-93946), assuring complete confidentiality of informants. Officials said public participation, coupled with sustained enforcement, is expected to further strengthen the state’s fight against organised crime and the drug menace.
