Chandigarh: The Punjab Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested 1,532 proclaimed offenders, initiated action against more than 58,000 criminals and their associates, and seized a massive cache of illegal weapons and narcotics during its flagship ‘Gangsteran Te Vaar’ campaign, dealing a significant blow to organised criminal networks.Gaurav Yadav, director general of police, Punjab, said during the 200-day operation, 28,201 persons, including 577 gangsters and their associates and 27,624 wanted criminals, were detained as part of preventive policing measures.He informed that 18,514 persons, including 1,529 gangsters and their associates and 16,985 wanted criminals, were verified and subsequently released.Overall, police action during the campaign covered 1,04,927 persons, comprising 2,959 gangsters and their associates and 1,01,968 wanted criminals, the DGP added.Yadav said beyond arrests, the campaign focused on reducing the operational capability of organised gangs by targeting their access to weapons, narcotics, finances and logistical infrastructure.The operation also substantially weakened the firepower of organised gangs, with the Punjab Police seizing 990 illegal firearms, 242 sharp-edged weapons, 2,739 rounds of ammunition, 315 magazines, 2.5 kg of explosives and 15 hand grenades, significantly disrupting the operational capability of criminal networks.The Punjab Police intensified its action against the organised crime-drug nexus by seizing 774.38 kg of heroin, 480.23 kg of opium, 7,266.26 kg of poppy husk and 26,91,455 intoxicant tablets. Police also seized drug money worth Rs 1,73,41,965, cash amounting to Rs 1,80,54,446 and 413.85 grams of gold.The operation also resulted in the recovery and destruction of 64,402.77 litres/34,840 bottles/926 boxes of illicit liquor, seizure of 4,978 mobile handsets used in criminal activities, and impounding of 1,781 vehicles and 61 drones. Collectively, these actions have disrupted criminal infrastructure, weakened organised crime networks and reinforced the Punjab Police’s sustained commitment to enhancing public safety across Punjab, said the DGP.The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police has also launched a dedicated line – 93946-93946 – to enable citizens to anonymously share information about wanted criminals, gangsters and related criminal activities.The initiative allows the public to confidentially provide actionable intelligence without fear of exposure, helping the AGTF swiftly track down and apprehend gangsters and other criminals.
