“A cash reward of up to Rs 10 lakh will be given for information leading to the arrest of gangsters,” read the shared X post.
Amid rising crime situation in the state, Punjab Police under the AAP led Government, today, launched a “72-hour war on Gangsters.” The officials have given it the name “Operation Prahar.”
The operation aims at breaking all the gangster networks operating within Punjab and from abroad. Such an action has been taken to remove the sign of crime from Punjab. Through this, the police officials have initiated the fight against organised crime, targeting gangs and their financial networks.
72-Hour ‘War on Gangsters’ Underway Across Punjab
There have been reportedly 1200 police personnel split into 2000 teams placed under the operation. The teams will conduct coordinated raids across Punjab.
As per the official reports, the target is to apprehend 60 high profile gangsters who are said to be operating currently from overseas. There have also been recorded 1200 local associates and over 600 residences linked to their family, relatives and acquaintances.
This is not just the limit, there are many who work behind the bodies and are hidden. The operation as well aims at uncovering all the hideouts so there be left no stone of crime in the state.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav while at the press briefing in Chandigarh highlighted the scale and objective of the operation. Other senior police officials including Special DGP (Law & Order) Arpit Shukla, Additional DGP and Anti-Gangster Task Force Chief Promod Ban, and IGP Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill were present.
“There has always been zero tolerance police under CM Mann’s administration. This time as well, as per CM Mann’s order and command, “War on Gangsters” has been introduced,” said DGP Yadav.
He then added that complete gangster networks will be attacked under the initiative.
Up to Rs10 Lakh Reward for Information on Gangsters
In order to free the Punjab from gangster violence, the state government is taking bigger and bolder steps. Under this initiative, the authorities interestingly have announced the cash price for giving the gangster related information to the authorities.
DGP Yadav, while taking it to the ‘X’ earlier known as Twitter account, wrote, “Today, Punjab Police has launched an Anti-Gangster helpline seeking public cooperation to share information directly on 93946-93946 to help apprehend wanted criminals.
All information will be treated with strict confidentiality, and the identity of informants will be kept secret.”
“A cash reward of up to ₹10 lakh will be given for information leading to the arrest of gangsters,” read the shared X post.
Objectives Beyond Arrests
Following the increasing trend of organised crime in the state, the “War on Gangsters” not only focuses on apprehending the gangsters. However, it aims at rooting out Gangsterism.
With such, the authorities target to demolish the entire criminal infrastructure. While speaking on the introduced operation, DGP Yadav emphasised that the operation has the purpose to completely vanish-
- Supply chains and illegal distribution of Weapons,
- Financial and Money laundering routes leading encouraging crime
- Secure hideouts and safe houses,
- Communication networks used to coordinate crime,
- Logistics support,
- And all the local based aiders and involved.
Notably, the operation has been extended beyond Punjab’s borders. Police officials are all set to conduct the raids and make arrears in other states where the suspects linked to syndicates may be hiding.
“If anyone found assisting gangsters will be treated as a gangster themselves,” stressed DGP Yadav.
Authorities have also launched a 24×7 Anti-Gangster Helpline 93946 93946 for the public to share information or register complaints related to gangster activity. The police have assured confidentiality for informants.
Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition
The authorities have mentioned another breakthrough in order to strengthen the action against Gangsters who are abroad. The Punjab Police has set up a special Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC).
The cell reportedly will be headed by IG Ashish Chaudhary who has recently returned from a deputation with the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
So far, Red Corner Notices have been issued against 23 of the 60 identified gangsters, and efforts are underway to secure notices against the remaining suspects within three months.
Crime Trends and Previous Action
The “War on Gangsters” has been introduced following the growing concern over organised crime in Punjab. These include the cases of extortion, targeted killings and cross-border syndicates.
Last year, in 2025, police officials arrested 925 gangsters and registered thousands of FIRs connected to drugs and criminal activities.
According to the official data, since 2022, there have been 2536 gangsters and criminals arrested. Moreover, there 24 neutralised, 2086 weapons recovered, 564 vehicles, 79 kg heroin and over Rs 4.69 crore in drug money.
These operations were carried out under the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) set up by the Mann government to tackle organised crime.
Encounters and Arrests in Recent Weeks
In addition to Operation Prahar, police have continued to act against active criminal elements:
- Acting against the Goldy Brar gang, a major organised crime syndicate, Punjab Police recently arrested 10 suspected gang members and seized foreign-made pistols and other weapons, a significant blow to one of the most notorious outfits operating in the region.
- In Mandi Gobindgarh, a gunfight during an ongoing sweep of gangster hideouts left accused criminal Shiva injured after he allegedly opened fire at officers; he was hospitalised after the encounter.
- In Amritsar, police reported another encounter in which a gangster, Mani Prince, was killed during a confrontation with law enforcement.
Police also recently arrested three suspects in Amritsar rural area in a drug-and-arms trafficking case, seizing nearly 5 kg of heroin, multiple firearms, ammunition devices and vehicles, underscoring the nexus between narcotics distribution and organised crime in the border state.
Gangster Crackdown Part of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ Strategy
The officials have claimed that the operation is the part of a wider strategy that connects to the fight against organised crime and the anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh” which has been running successfully in the state for a long time.
Under Yudh Nashian Virudh, there have been thousands of FIRs registered and many arrests have been made in recent times.
Security Implications
As per the experts, organised crime in Punjab is a wider security threat. Gangs reportedly are linked to cross-border arms smuggling and terror-related networks. In the previous operations, Punjab Police and Intelligence units collectively have busted the groups that supplied weapons using drones and other routes.
