Punjab gangster crackdown: 617 raids, 303 arrests in one day; 75,535 held in 255 days

Chandigarh : Seven proclaimed offenders were among those arrested in Punjab Police’s latest statewide operation against gangster networks, with police also taking preventive action against 190 individuals and recovering a weapon.

The operation involved 617 raids at identified locations linked to gangsters and their associates, taking the total arrests under the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign to 75,535 since its launch on January 20, 2026.

The 255-day campaign, launched by Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, is being conducted by district police teams in coordination with the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF).

Police teams targeted locations mapped for links to gangster associates as part of the continuing statewide operation.

Punjab Police has also appealed to people to share information about wanted criminals, gangsters and criminal activity through its Anti-Gangster Helpline, 93946-93946. The information can be provided anonymously.

106 drug smugglers arrested

Punjab Police simultaneously continued ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, its campaign against drug trafficking, which entered its 580th day.

Police arrested 106 suspected drug smugglers and recovered 500 grams of heroin, 587 grams of opium, 16 kg of poppy husk, 272 intoxicant pills and ₹46,000 in alleged drug money.

The latest arrests took the campaign’s cumulative figure to 81,333 drug smugglers arrested, according to Punjab Police.

Enforcement was accompanied by rehabilitation efforts, with 17 people persuaded to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment during the day.

The two operations form part of Punjab Police’s continuing crackdown on organised crime and drug trafficking, combining arrests and preventive measures with rehabilitation efforts for people affected by drug use.