TARN TARAN – In a decisive strike against organized crime and narco-terrorism, the Punjab Police, under the state government’s flagship ‘War on Gangsters’ campaign, has frozen assets worth ₹65 crore belonging to notorious criminals and drug smugglers.
The crackdown, spearheaded by the Tarn Taran district police, marks a significant escalation in the Bhagwant Mann government’s “Zero Tolerance” policy. By targeting the financial jugular of these networks, authorities aim to dismantle the infrastructure that sustains gang activity and cross-border smuggling.
A Surge in Enforcement: The Numbers
The last three months have seen a massive spike in operational success in the border regions. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Surinder Lamba, a targeted strategy has yielded unprecedented results:
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Financial Impact: ₹65 crore in assets frozen, primarily within the last 90 days.
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Narcotics Seizures: 47.527 kg of heroin recovered in the last quarter, contributing to a total of 115 kg seized so far in 2024.
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Legal Action: 490 cases registered under the NDPS Act and 630 arrests made in the same period.
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Historical Context: Since the launch of the dual ‘War on Drugs’ and ‘War on Gangsters’ campaigns, the district has seen over 1,736 cases registered and 2,200 arrests.
Neutralizing the ‘Drone-Drugs-Gun’ Nexus
The police have identified a sophisticated “hi-tech” operational model being utilized by gangsters along the 102 km international border with Pakistan. This nexus utilizes drones to ferry weapons and drugs into Indian territory, which are then used to fund local criminal activities, including extortion and recruitment of youth.
“The neighbouring country is active in sending drugs and weapons through drones that can carry loads from 0.5 kg up to 25 kg,“ said SSP Lamba. “These drones penetrate 5 to 15 km into our territory. It is a high-tech challenge, but we are countering it with intelligence-led operations.”
Investigations reveal that the drones are equipped with GPS systems, cameras, and pre-loaded route maps, indicating a high level of technical proficiency among the handlers.
Operation Prahar: A Blitzkrieg on Crime
The recent ‘Operation Prahar’ exemplified the intensity of the current campaign. Deploying 50 specialized teams (500 personnel in total), the police arrested 236 accused in just six days, including 10 high-profile absconding criminals.
The operation also focused on the “fear economy” run by gangsters, where drug money is used to hire shooters for ransom calls. SSP Lamba confirmed that the police are now utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor social media accounts, track suspicious banking transactions, and uncover “benami” accounts used to hide illicit wealth.
The Road Ahead
With anti-drone systems now active and round-the-clock patrolling intensified, the Punjab Police are shifting from reactive policing to proactive disruption. By seizing motorcycles, mobile phones, and multi-crore properties, the state is sending a clear message: the era of the high-profile gangster in Punjab is being systematically dismantled.
As the ‘War on Gangsters’ continues, the focus remains on breaking the link between Pakistani logistical support and local criminal operatives, ensuring that the border state remains a hostile environment for organized crime.
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