— Decisive Crackdown Targets Entire Ecosystem of Gangsterism: DGP Gaurav Yadav
— 72-Hour Operation Prahaar Underway; 2,000 Police Teams Raiding Links to 60 Foreign-Based Gangsters
— Overseas Fugitive Tracking & Extradition Cell Established to Fast-Track Return of Gangsters
— Anti-Gangster Helpline 93946-93946 Launched; Anonymous Reporting Encouraged with Rewards Up to ₹10 Lakh
Chandigarh, January 20
Following significant success in the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has now declared ‘Gangstara Te War’ — a full-scale, decisive war against gangsters aimed at eradicating gangsterism from the state and making Punjab completely gangster-free.
Announcing the launch, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that a massive statewide operation against gangsters is already in full swing. As part of the 72-hour-long Operation Prahaar, over 2,000 police teams comprising more than 12,000 personnel are actively raiding identified locations linked to associates of 60 foreign-based gangsters across Punjab.
Speaking at a press conference at the Punjab Police Officers Institute (PPOI) on Tuesday, DGP Gaurav Yadav — flanked by Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, ADGP Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Promod Ban, and IGP Headquarters Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill — reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards gangsterism and anyone supporting or sheltering it.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said: “The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has launched a well-planned and strategic war against gangsters with the clear objective of dismantling their entire ecosystem — including financing, logistics, safe houses, weapon supply chains, and communication networks.”
Issuing a stern warning to gangsters operating from abroad, the DGP declared: “They should not feel secure sitting overseas. They will soon be brought back to Punjab to face the full force of the law.”
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He revealed that Punjab Police has identified 60 key gangsters currently based abroad who continue to orchestrate criminal activities in Punjab through their local networks. To accelerate their extradition, the Punjab Police has established the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), headed by DIG Counter Intelligence Ashish Choudhary.
DGP Yadav further informed that Red Corner Notices (RCN) have already been issued — or are in the process of being issued — against 23 of these identified gangsters. The remaining 37 will have RCNs issued against them in a time-bound manner within the next three months.
Addressing the youth directly, the DGP appealed to those who have been misled: “I urge misguided youth not to fall into the trap of foreign-based gangsters who sit safely abroad while luring you with small amounts of money to commit serious crimes. Crime does not pay. Abandon this path now and return to the mainstream, or be prepared to face strict legal consequences.”
During the press conference, DGP Gaurav Yadav formally launched the Anti-Gangster Helpline — 93946-93946. Citizens can anonymously share information about wanted criminals, gangsters, or suspicious activities. Information leading to the arrest of gangsters will be eligible for cash rewards of up to ₹10 lakh.
The DGP also announced that the Punjab Government has approved a comprehensive reward policy with a total sanctioned amount of ₹10 crore. Under this policy:
- SSPs can sanction rewards up to ₹1 lakh
- CPs and DIGs Ranges up to ₹1.5 lakh
- Wing Heads up to ₹2 lakh
- The DGP Punjab can approve rewards above ₹2 lakh
These rewards will be given both to members of the public whose information leads to successful arrests and to police personnel who conduct exceptional operations under the NDPS Act or against gangsters.
This major offensive underscores the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace, safety, and a crime-free environment for the people of Punjab.
