Chandigarh, September 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Police has arrested 72,311 individuals, including gangsters and their associates, during the first eight months of its ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, with police teams conducting 1.34 lakh raids across the state, Special DGP Law and Order Praveen Sinha said on Sunday.
The campaign, launched by DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026, aims to crack down on gangster networks and criminal associates. Police teams from all districts have been conducting raids in coordination with the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab at identified and mapped locations linked to gangsters and their associates.
Sinha said police teams had recovered 1,224 weapons, 3,555 live cartridges, 377 magazines, 263 sharp-edged weapons and 15 hand grenades from arrested individuals during the campaign.
Preventive action has also been initiated against 37,652 persons, while 18,818 individuals were verified and released after questioning. Police have additionally arrested 1,858 proclaimed offenders since the campaign was launched.
On Day 243 of the campaign, police teams conducted 548 raids and arrested 262 individuals. Preventive action was taken against 164 persons, while four proclaimed offenders were arrested.
Sinha said the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign would continue with the same intensity.
Punjab Police has also urged citizens to share information about wanted criminals, gangsters and criminal activities through its Anti-Gangster Helpline at 93946-93946. Information can be provided anonymously.
96 Drug Smugglers Arrested on Day 568 of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’
Meanwhile, Punjab Police continued its ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign against drug trafficking, completing 568 days of the drive.
Police arrested 96 alleged drug smugglers on Thursday and recovered 57.6 kg of heroin, 3 kg of poppy husk, 5,160 intoxicant tablets and capsules, besides ₹1,550 in suspected drug money.
With these arrests, the total number of drug smugglers arrested under the campaign has reached 78,462 in 568 days.
As part of its de-addiction efforts, Punjab Police also persuaded 14 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment during the day.
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