Chandigarh, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Police’s anti-gangster campaign ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ has completed 200 days, with the force conducting 1,09,087 raids across the state and arresting 1,532 proclaimed offenders, officials said on Saturday.
The intelligence-led campaign, launched under the Bhagwant Mann government, has focused on dismantling organised crime networks through targeted enforcement, financial investigations, technology-driven policing and coordination with neighbouring states and central agencies.
During the 200-day operation, action was initiated against 58,212 people, including 853 gangsters and their associates and 57,359 wanted criminals. Preventive action also resulted in the detention of 28,201 persons, comprising 577 gangsters and associates and 27,624 wanted criminals. Another 18,514 persons, including 1,529 gangsters and associates and 16,985 wanted criminals, were verified and subsequently released.
Overall, police action during the campaign covered 1,04,927 persons, including 2,959 gangsters and their associates and 1,01,968 wanted criminals.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said the campaign had evolved beyond arrests to target the wider 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.
The campaign also resulted in the recovery of 990 illegal firearms, 242 sharp-edged weapons, 2,739 rounds of ammunition, 315 magazines, 2.5 kg of explosives and 15 hand grenades.
Police also seized 774.38 kg of heroin, 480.23 kg of opium, 7,266.26 kg of poppy husk and 26,91,455 intoxicant tablets. Recoveries included drug money worth Rs 1,73,41,965, cash amounting to Rs 1,80,54,446 and 413.85 grams of gold.
Additional DGP, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Pramod Ban said organised crime was increasingly operating through financial networks, digital communications and handlers based abroad.
He said investigations were therefore combining field operations with financial tracking, digital intelligence and coordination with central agencies. According to Ban, the approach has helped Punjab Police crack extortion networks, identify foreign-based handlers and pursue the deportation and extradition of wanted criminals.
Among the notable operations was the deportation of fugitive gangster Bhuvnesh Chopra alias Ashish Chopra, son of Hira Lal and resident of 15, inside Delhi Gate, Ferozepur, from Central Asia. Gangster Jobanjit Singh alias Joban Billa was also brought back from Jakarta, Indonesia. The operations were carried out by the AGTF in coordination with OFTEC Punjab and central agencies.
The campaign also led to the recovery and destruction of 64,402.77 litres of illicit liquor, equivalent to 34,840 bottles and 926 boxes. Police seized 4,978 mobile handsets allegedly used in criminal activities and impounded 1,781 vehicles and 61 drones.
The AGTF has also launched a dedicated helpline, 93946-93946, allowing citizens to anonymously provide information about wanted criminals, gangsters and related activities. A reward policy has also been introduced for credible information leading to action against wanted gangsters and criminals, with confidentiality of informants assured.
Police said the sustained campaign aims to disrupt the financial, logistical and operational networks that enable organised crime across Punjab.
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