Further intensifying the ongoing “Gangstran Te Vaar” campaign to make Punjab a gangster-free state, as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Sunday announced the launch of a 72-hour-long “Operation Prahaar-2,” with a focus on nabbing wanted criminals.
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Further intensifying the ongoing “Gangstran Te Vaar” campaign to make Punjab a gangster-free state, as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Sunday announced the launch of a 72-hour-long “Operation Prahaar-2,” with a focus on nabbing wanted criminals.
The DGP, accompanied by Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, ADGP Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Nilabh Kishore and Intelligence Chief Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, was addressing a press conference following a high-level meeting with all Commissioners of Police (CPs)/Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Range IGPs/DIGs to review the progress of the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” and “Gangstran Te Vaar” campaigns.
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The development came days after the huge success of “Operation Prahaar”, which resulted in the arrest of 3,256 individuals within 72 hours, besides the recovery of 69 weapons from their possession.
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The DGP said that “Operation Prahaar-2” will be conducted from Monday to Wednesday, and senior officers from Punjab Police Headquarters have been deputed for effective supervision of the operation.
Sharing the outcomes of 20 days of the “Gangstran Te Vaar” campaign, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that police teams have arrested 5,290 individuals, including gangsters and criminals associated with them, and recovered 128 weapons from their possession after conducting 17,603 raids across the state.
Apart from this, preventive action has been initiated against 2,973 persons, while 5,413 persons were verified and released after questioning. He added that 344 proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested.
Defying all fake narratives, he clarified that this is a lawful operation and the police will arrest only those persons who are wanted in criminal cases.
For effective supervision across police districts, Special DGP, ADGP, IGP and DIG-rank officers have been allocated specific police districts to oversee the work, with clear directions that accountability will be fixed for any lapses found.
To enhance visible police presence and strengthen the crime response mechanism across the state, the DGP said that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on operational preparedness have also been issued to all CPs/SSPs and Range IGPs/DIGs.
He said that CPs/SSPs have been directed to personally visit all important crime scenes to supervise investigations and ensure the tracing of heinous offences. As part of confidence-building measures, all district chiefs have also been directed to personally conduct field visits in high-footfall and hotspot areas.
DGP Gaurav Yadav informed that the state’s police force is being significantly augmented by auditing and mobilising manpower from non-core duties to strengthen round-the-clock high-tech nakas and city sealing points.
Following reports that many vehicles without registration numbers are being used in crimes, operational directions have also been issued to intensify vehicle checking, with a specific focus on challaning and impounding vehicles—especially two-wheelers—moving without number plates.
Stressing the need to make maximum use of wireless sets and walkie-talkies, the DGP said it would be the responsibility of the concerned CPs/SSPs/Range IGPs/DIGs to ensure a prompt police response immediately after an incident is reported.
“To ensure rapid response after any crime incident is reported, a comprehensive sealing plan must be implemented immediately to intercept perpetrators through intensive checking of escape routes and exit points,” he said.
Highlighting the state’s relentless fight against drugs under the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign launched on March 1, 2025, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that Punjab Police have registered 33,779 FIRs and made 48,167 arrests, resulting in the recovery of 2,149 kg of heroin, 29 kg of ICE, 649 kg of opium, 28,527 kg of poppy husk, 48.31 lakh intoxicant pills/capsules, and Rs 15.91 crore in drug money.
Meanwhile, people can anonymously share information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, as well as tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti-Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.
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