’GANGSTRAN TE VAAR’: 72,311 INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED IN EIGHT MONTHS*

As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign completed eight months, Punjab Police has arrested 72,311 individuals including gangsters and criminals associated with them after conducting 1.34 lakh raids across the state since the launch of the campaign.
 Pertinently, 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 have been conducting raids at the identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters.
 Special DGP Law and Order Praveen Sinha said that police teams have recovered 1224 weapons along with 3,555 live cartridges and 377 magazines, 263 sharp-edged weapons and 15 hand grenades from the possession of arrested individuals.
 Apart from this, preventive action has been initiated against 37,652 persons, whereas, 18,818 persons were verified and released after questioning, he said, while adding that Police teams have also arrested 1,858 proclaimed offenders (POs) since the campaign was launched.
 On Day 243, Police teams arrested 262 individuals after conducting 548 raids, while, preventive action has been taken against 164 persons and arrested four proclaimed offenders (POs).
 The Special DGP said that the 'Gangstran Te Vaar' campaign will continue with same vigor.
 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 568th day with 96 drug smugglers arrested on Thursday and recovered 57.6 kg heroin, 3 kg poppy husk, 5160 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 1550 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 78,462 in just 568 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 14 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.