Chandigarh, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Police has arrested 62,641 individuals, including gangsters and their associates, during the first seven months of its ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, with police teams conducting more than 1.16 lakh raids across the state, Special DGP Law and Order Praveen Sinha said on Thursday.
The campaign, aimed at making Punjab free of gangster activity, was launched by Punjab Police chief Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all districts have been conducting raids at identified locations linked to gangsters and their associates in coordination with the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF).
According to Sinha, police have recovered 1,057 weapons, 2,860 live cartridges, 335 magazines, 247 sharp-edged weapons and 15 hand grenades from arrested individuals during the campaign.
Preventive action has also been initiated against 31,064 people, while 18,536 individuals were verified and released after questioning. Police have additionally arrested 1,612 proclaimed offenders since the campaign began.
Sinha said the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign would continue with the same intensity.
The police have also appealed to citizens to share information about wanted criminals, gangsters and criminal activities through the Anti-Gangster Helpline at 93946-93946. The information can be provided anonymously.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Police’s anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, entered its 537th day on Thursday. Police arrested 84 alleged drug smugglers and recovered 1.8 kg of heroin, 1 kg of opium, 120 kg of poppy husk, 633 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 40,000 in drug money.
With the latest arrests, the total number of drug smugglers arrested under the campaign has reached 76,136 in 537 days.
As part of its de-addiction efforts, Punjab Police also persuaded 24 people on Thursday to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.
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