Category: Crime

Punjab’s ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ cracks down hard, 62,000+ raids dismantle gangster ecosystem

Punjab E News (April 20): Punjab’s sustained crackdown on organised crime has gathered significant momentum, with the Bhagwant Mann Government’s flagship anti-gangster drive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ completing three months of an extensive, state-wide operation. Spearheaded under the supervision of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and executed by Punjab Police under the leadership of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the operation has emerged as a model for coordinated enforcement, targeting gangster networks operating both within India and from abroad, with a clear objective of making Punjab crime-free.

Launched on January 20, the drive was designed to dismantle the ecosystem of organised crime by targeting not just gangsters but also their logistical, financial, and communication networks.

Over the past three months, Punjab Police has carried out 62,302 raids across the state till April 19, leading to the arrest of 915 proclaimed offenders. In total, 22,605 individuals have been arrested, including 461 associates of gangsters, along with 22,144 wanted individuals.

The operation has also relied heavily on preventive action. A total of 10,254 persons were detained under preventive measures, including 444 associates and 9,810 wanted individuals. Additionally, 16,439 persons were verified and released, including 1,277 associates and 15,162 wanted individuals. Overall, since the launch of the drive, Punjab Police has accounted for 49,298 individuals, including 2,182 associates and 47,116 wanted individuals, reflecting the depth and scale of the crackdown.

Alongside arrests, the operation has resulted in substantial recoveries of weapons and explosives, significantly weakening the operational capabilities of criminal networks. Punjab Police recovered 408 firearms, 148 sharp-edged weapons, 1,197 rounds of ammunition, 122 magazines, 2.5 kg explosives, and six hand grenades during this period.

The drive has also delivered a strong blow to the drug ecosystem. Police seized 378.45 kg heroin, 301.947 kg opium, 2,838.77 kg poppy husk, 12,37,318 intoxicant tablets, 7373.82 grams of intoxicant powder, 101.459 kg ganja, and 790 grams of ‘Ice’. In addition, authorities confiscated drug money worth ₹1,05,31,171, cash worth ₹50,66,740, and 273 grams of gold.

Targeting illicit trade further, Punjab Police seized 24,520.25 litres of illicit liquor, including 10,984.75 bottles and 176 boxes. The operation also focused on dismantling logistical infrastructure used by gangs, resulting in the recovery of 4,229 mobile phones, 815 vehicles and 31 drones.

Promod Ban, ADGP, AGTF (Anti – Gangster Task Force) stated, “The ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation is not limited to identifying gangs or their networks; its main aim is to eliminate the existence of gangs from Punjab. Every police personnel are committed to intensifying this operation for the safety and betterment of residents. During this drive, Punjab Police successfully busted local gangster networks, covering every district, village, and city.”

“Within three months, the operation has achieved massive success. Not only gangsters, but even those supporting them are now wary of the consequences. The scale of arrests, recoveries, and police involvement reflects the success of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’,” he added.

Taking inspiration from the ongoing campaign against drugs, the Punjab Government designed this drive as a comprehensive assault on organised crime. The operation integrates technology, including Artificial Intelligence, to track and monitor criminal activity. An Anti-Gangster Helpline (93946-93946) has also been operationalised to encourage citizen participation and reward credible information.

“Through the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation, Punjab Police now possess extensive data to track criminals swiftly. There is no space for ‘gangster culture’ in Punjab, and the police remain committed to ensuring this. The operation has helped solve multiple cases and led to arrests of criminals involved in crimes across states. The networks and funding of these gangs have been significantly disrupted, and the operation will continue with greater vigilance,” stated Promod Ban.

One of the arrested accused was involved in the 2025 Abohar showroom owner murder case, says DGP Gaurav Yadav

Punjab E News (April 20): In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab, in a joint operation with District SAS Nagar Police, has busted a gangster module being operated by foreign-based gangsters with the arrest of four accused persons and recovered two foreign-made .30 caliber pistols along with eight live cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

Those arrested have been identified as Arman Singh, a resident of village Ugana in Patiala; Chirag, a resident of village Nalas Khurd in Patiala; Ravinder Singh alias Rahul, resident of village Nalas Kalan in Rajpura, Patiala; and Akshay alias Prince, a resident of village Dhamoli in Patiala. Apart from recovering pistols, police teams have also recoverd their sedan Honda Amaze car, in which they were travelling.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that one of the arrested accused identified as Akshay alias Prince was involved in the July 2025 Murder case of a ‘Wear Well’ showroom owner in Abohar. The accused had provided logistical support to the main assailants, he said.

The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case. More arrests are expected in coming days, he added.

Sharing operational details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that acting swiftly on a reliable input about the movement of four operatives of this module towards SAS Nagar on the Ambala-Chandigarh Highway, a special team consisting of AGTF and SAS Nagar Police officials was formed and special checkpoints/nakas were set-up at various points on the highway.

The ADGP said that the police team nabbed the suspects near Janetpur link road on the highway and recovered two foreign-made pistols along with ammunition from their possession.

Providing additional details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar Harmandeep Hans said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested operatives were tasked by their foreign-based handlers to carry out major crimes in the state. “With these arrests serious crimes in the region have been averted,” said the SSP.

In this regard, a case FIR no 162, dated 18.04.2026 under sections 111 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 25(6) and 25(7)(i) of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Dera Bassi in SAS Nagar.

Amritsar News (April 20): In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has dismantled a cross-border and MP-based illegal arms supply module with the arrest of three accused persons and recovered six pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

Those arrested have been identified as Deepak Singh alias Deepu (22), a resident of Kashmir Avenue in Amritsar; Arun Kumar alias Sabu (26), a resident of Narayangarh in Amritsar; and Sukhjinder Singh alias Sukha (29), a resident of Rehana Jattan in Kapurthala. Recovered pistols include one .30 bore PX5, three .32 bore and two .30 bore pistols along with seven live cartridges.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were procuring illegal weapons from Madhya Pradesh. Accused were also in contact with Pak-based smuggler through social media platforms, who were facilitating supply of illegal weapon through drones and coordinating distribution through local handlers, he said, while adding that the network was actively operating in the Majha and Doaba regions.

The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to dismantle the entire network.

Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that in a targeted operation based on secret information, police teams initially arrested Deepak alias Deepu and recovered one pistol from his possession, while another two pistols were recovered from a location pinpointed by him. On his disclosure, his two accomplices identified as Arun alias Sabu and Sukhjinder alias Sukha were also arrested and three pistols were recovered from their possession, he said.

The CP said that preliminary investigation has also revealed that the accused had procured these illegal weapons to execute a major criminal act, which has been successfully averted due to timely police action. Accused Deepak alias Deepu and Arun alias Sabu have a previous criminal involvement in cases pertaining to attempt to murder, theft and other serious offences, he added.

In this regard, a case FIR No. 61 dated 04-04-2026 under section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Civil Lines in Amritsar.

Hoshiarpur News (April 20): In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Hoshiarpur Police has busted a major inter-state/foreign-linked narcotics and illegal arms module with the arrest of its four operatives and recovered 9.925 kg of heroin, two .30 bore foreign-made pistols along with eight magazines and 40 live cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

Those arrested have been identified as Manjinder Singh alias Sonu, a resident of village Pathralian in Hoshiarpur; Shivam Bhandari, a resident of Dhina in Jalandhar; Sahil Masih alias Monu of village Pakhoke Tahli in Gurdaspur; and Ramel Roger of Garhshankar in Hoshiarpur.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested accused were in direct contact with foreign-based gangsters and were acting as their local handlers, facilitating drug trafficking and the supply of illegal weapons in the region.

The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to dismantle the entire network.

Sharing operational details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hoshiarpur Sandeep Kumar Malik said that following a reliable input, Police teams have set up a special checkpoint (nakabandi) in the jurisdiction of Garhshankar. During the operation, an i-20 car was intercepted on a suspicion basis, leading to the apprehension of the four accused and the subsequent recovery of the heroin and weapons consignment from their vehicle, he said.

The SSP further said that one of the arrested accused, Sahil Masih, is a habitual offender and is also involved in firing at a police party in District Batala. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days as the investigation progresses, he added.

In this regard, a case FIR No. 61 dated 19-04-2026 has been registered under sections 21 and 29 of the NDPS Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Garhshankar in Hoshiarpur.

Punjab E News (April 18): As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann enters its 88th day, Punjab Police on Saturday conducted 639 raids at the at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.

As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has been conducting special operations across the state.

On Day 88, Police teams arrested 239 individuals held with four weapons, taking the total arrests to 22,144 since the launch of the campaign.

Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 116 persons, whereas, 116 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested six proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.

People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.

Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 413th day with 89 drug smugglers arrested on Saturday and recovered 74.5 kg heroin, 3299 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 13,080 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 59,476 in just 413 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 28 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Amritsar News (April 18): In a major blow to narco-terror networks amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar unit of Counter Intelligence wing has busted a cross-border drug smuggling module with the arrest of two accused and recovered 64.62 kg Heroin from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

Those arrested have been identified as Sarwan Singh alias Gujjar, a resident of village Awan Wasau in Amritsar and Shamsher Singh alias Shera, a resident of village Dial Rangar in Amritsar. Apart from recovering the big haul of heroin, the police team has also impounded their Maruti Swift car, which they were using to smuggle narcotics.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed links of this module with Pakistan-based smugglers and Portugal-based handler.

“The links of this cross-border trafficking ring are also established with network of notorious Pakistan-based smuggler Moosa, whose name had cropped-up in 532-kg heroin recovery case,” he said. Pertinently, Indian Customs officials had made largest recovery of 532 kg heroin at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Attari in 2019.

The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to trace the entire network.

Sharing operational details, AIG SSOC Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said that a reliable input was received regarding suspects Sarwan Singh and Shamsher Singh having retrieved consignment of heroin deliveres through drone from across the border a few days back.

He said that the input further revealed that on the instructions of their handlers, the duo were enroute to deliver the consignment to another party. Acting swiftly, the SSOC Amritsar unit team intercepted them near Mahal Bypass in Amritsar, and recovered 64.62 kg heroin from their possession, he added

The AIG said that the arrested accused persons were promised huge payback by their handlers. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days as the investigation progresses.

In this regard, a case FIR No. 23 dated 17.04.2026 under sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act and sections 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, has been registered at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.

Amritsar News:  In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police has busted a ISI-backed cross-border terror module with the arrest of one accused person and recovered four P-86 hand grenades and two foreign-made pistols along with ammunition from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

The arrested accused has been identified as Sagar Singh, a resident of Galluwal in Amritsar. The operation was jointly conducted by State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar and SSOC Mohali.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused was acting on instructions of foreign-based handlers and has links with the terror module involved in the grenade attack in Chandigarh. Further investigation is underway to identify, track and apprehend other members of the module, he said.

Sharing operational details, AIG Sukhminder Singh Mann said that a specific information was received that a consignment comprising hand grenades and arms-ammunition was pushed from Pakistan, which was successfully retrieved by the Indian counterparts who were planning of terror attack. Acting swiftly, an operation was launched which led to the arrest of accused Sagar Singh from Khasa-Ram Tirath Road in Amritsar, he said.

The AIG said that preliminary probe has revealed that the arrested accused initially came into contact with a foreign based entity through social media platform in January 2026, and started working on his instructions. The accused retrieved and delivered the consignments of arms ammunition on the directions of the handler and was paid money per consignment, he said, while adding that his handler motivated and promised him with lucrative amount in lieu of the task.

He said that in February 2026, accused Sagar was arrested with a part of arms consignment by Amritsar Rural Police and after getting bail in March 2026, he resumed his contact with the handler through encrypted platforms and further engaged in criminal activities on his instructions. Further investigation in ongoing, he added.

In this regard, a case FIR No. 22 dated 15.04.2026 has been registered under section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, section 25 (1) (d) of the Arms Acta and section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.