CHANDIGARH — The Punjab Police has fundamentally reshaped its approach to law enforcement, transforming the fight against organized crime from a regional effort into a robust, nation-wide crackdown. By prioritizing inter-state cooperation, the force is effectively dismantling the once-secure hideouts and smuggling routes used by gangsters and drug syndicates.
The state’s flagship initiative, the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ (War on Gangsters) campaign, has entered a decisive phase. As of June 18, 2026, the operation has completed 148 days of intense, intelligence-led enforcement, resulting in the identification and arrest of 37,757 anti-social elements.
Beyond Boundaries: A New Policing Paradigm
For years, organized criminal networks leveraged state borders to evade arrest, committing crimes in one jurisdiction while seeking refuge in another. Punjab Police DGP Gaurav Yadav, the architect of the current strategy, insists that modern policing must move beyond traditional territorial limitations.
“We are very clear about our objective—criminals cannot get away with committing crimes here,” said DGP Yadav. “Punjab Police will chase them anywhere and ensure justice for the victims. Our message is crystal clear: those who challenge the peace and harmony of Punjab will not find a safe haven anywhere, no matter where they hide.”
Dismantling the Machinery of Crime
The force is no longer just targeting individual street-level criminals; it is systematically dismantling the entire machinery of organized crime. This includes:
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Counter-Terrorism & Espionage: In a high-stakes joint operation with Delhi Police, Punjab authorities busted an ISI-backed espionage and terror network linked to Babbar Khalsa International, resulting in the arrest of 11 individuals.
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The War on Drugs: Complementing the anti-gangster drive, the state has achieved a significant milestone with the arrest of 68,682 drug smugglers, effectively stifling the logistical backbone of inter-state narcotics trafficking.
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Multi-State Coordination: Recent successes include the neutralization of a robbery gang operating across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, and the arrest of a fugitive in Uttarakhand involved in drone-based arms smuggling from Pakistan.
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Targeting Syndicates: The campaign continues to apply relentless pressure on major syndicates, including those associated with Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar, by targeting their recovery modules and financial networks across multiple states.
Synergy as a Force Multiplier
A cornerstone of this strategy is the enhanced information-sharing network between the Punjab Police and agencies across India. A recent operation with the Jammu and Kashmir Police perfectly illustrated this synergy: acting on intelligence from Jammu, joint teams successfully raided a flat in Amritsar, recovering an AK-47, a pistol, and a significant quantity of narcotics.
As the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign continues, officials emphasize that this collaborative approach has become a permanent hallmark of the state’s security architecture. By integrating intelligence, inter-agency trust, and proactive pursuit, the Punjab Police is setting a new standard for ensuring public safety in an era where crime has no borders.
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