Chandigarh, July 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
As part of the ongoing ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ (war against gangsters) launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to make Punjab a gangster-free state, Punjab Police has successfully concluded Operation Prahaar-3.0, a 16-day statewide intelligence-led enforcement drive that dealt a major blow to organised crime and the drug-gangster nexus. During the operation, police teams conducted raids at 5,448 locations linked to gangsters, their associates, drug smugglers and wanted criminals across all police ranges and commissionerates in the state.
On this, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said, “Operation Prahaar-3.0 was launched to strengthen public confidence, enhance police visibility and deliver a decisive blow to organised crime, drug trafficking and other criminal networks operating in the state.”
He said, “The operation was conducted in a staggered manner over 16 days, with one specific Police Range or Commissionerate being targeted each day. This systematic approach enabled Punjab Police to sustain continuous pressure on criminal networks across the state while ensuring coordinated action by all field units.”
The DGP said, “The operation aimed at disrupting the gangster-drug nexus, apprehending proclaimed offenders and wanted accused, identifying and arresting listed and non-listed drug smugglers and peddlers, taking preventive action against habitual and anti-social elements, and recovering illegal arms, narcotics, illicit liquor, stolen property and crime-linked vehicles. It also sought to reinforce inter-district coordination, improve field-level policing and demonstrate the preparedness and operational reach of Punjab Police.”
He said, “During the operation, Punjab Police deployed 10,401 personnel and conducted 5,448 raids across the state. A total of 958 FIRs were registered, preventive action was taken against 1,520 persons and 262 vehicles were impounded as part of the coordinated crackdown.”
Reiterating Punjab Police’s resolve against organised crime, DGP Gaurav Yadav said, “The ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ is a sustained campaign that will continue with full force until Punjab is completely cleansed of the gangster menace.”
Sharing the cumulative outcomes of the operation, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Praveen Sinha said, “A total of 3,949 individuals, including 42 gangsters and their associates, 1,201 drug smugglers and peddlers, 119 proclaimed offenders and 2,587 wanted accused, have been arrested during Operation Prahaar-3.0, while preventive action has been taken against 1,520 persons.”
He said, “Police teams have recovered 12 weapons, 10.47 kg heroin, 1.50 kg opium, 30 kg ganja, 259 kg poppy husk, 21,746 intoxicant tablets, pills and capsules, 646.25 litres of lahan, 1,243.5 litres of illicit liquor and ₹4.03 lakh in drug money. Illegal firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, mobile phones and other incriminating material have also been recovered during the operation.”
The Special DGP said, “The operation also exposed and dismantled several criminal modules involved in extortion, vehicle theft, illegal de-addiction centres, unlawful sale of pharmaceutical drugs and counterfeit liquor, striking at the wider ecosystem supporting organised crime.”
He said, “Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police personally supervised the operation. More than 2,000 police teams comprising over 10,000 police personnel participated in the statewide drive, ensuring effective execution and close monitoring of enforcement activities.”
He added, “Operation Prahaar-3.0 has disrupted criminal and narcotics networks, strengthened intelligence-based policing, enhanced police visibility and sent a clear message that gangsterism, drug trafficking and organised criminal activity will be dealt with firmly. The operation has contributed significantly towards strengthening the rule of law, improving public confidence and creating a safer and more secure environment across Punjab.”
Meanwhile, Punjab Police has appealed to the public to actively support the ongoing ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign by sharing information related to wanted criminals, gangsters and organised criminal activities through the Anti-Gangster Helpline 93946-93946. Citizens can share information anonymously, and the identity of informants will be kept completely confidential.
DGP Appreciates Top-Performing Police Units, Urges Others to Build on Momentum and Further Strengthen Enforcement
DGP Gaurav Yadav said, “I compliment all Commissionerates and District Police units for the successful execution of Operation Prahaar-3.0. I would particularly like to appreciate the outstanding performance of District Khanna, District Bathinda, Commissionerate Jalandhar, District Hoshiarpur and District Mansa for registering the highest enforcement outcomes during the operation.
Similarly, District Hoshiarpur, Commissionerate Amritsar, Commissionerate Jalandhar, District Tarn Taran and District Moga deserve special appreciation for their significant recoveries under the NDPS Act. Their professionalism, commitment and intelligence-led policing have set a benchmark for the entire force. I encourage them to maintain this momentum in the ongoing ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign.”
The DGP noted, “Every Commissionerate and District Police unit has contributed meaningfully to the success of Operation Prahaar-3.0. While some units have emerged as top performers in this phase, I am confident that the remaining districts will build upon their efforts and further strengthen their operational outcomes in the coming phases. Healthy competition, intelligence-led policing and coordinated action will ensure that every unit continues to raise the bar in our collective mission to make Punjab completely free from organised crime, gangsterism and the drug menace.”
FOLLOW NOW
