Sixteen-day statewide crackdown targets gangsters, drug smugglers and wanted criminals; 958 FIRs registered

Chandigarh, 18 July (H.S.): Punjab Police arrested 3,949 people and conducted raids at 5,448 locations during Operation Prahaar-3.0, a 16-day statewide intelligence-led crackdown on organised crime and the drug-gangster nexus.The operation was conducted as part of the ongoing ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to make Punjab free from gangsterism and organised crime.Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the operation was aimed at strengthening public confidence, increasing police visibility and disrupting criminal, gangster and drug-smuggling networks operating across the state.The drive was conducted in a staggered manner, with one police range or commissionerate targeted each day. More than 2,000 police teams comprising 10,401 personnel participated in the operation across all districts and commissionerates.According to the police, 958 FIRs were registered, preventive action was initiated against 1,520 people and 262 vehicles were impounded during the crackdown.Special DGP, Law and Order, Praveen Sinha said those arrested included 42 gangsters and their associates, 1,201 drug smugglers and peddlers, 119 proclaimed offenders and 2,587 wanted accused.Police teams recovered 12 weapons, 10.47 kg heroin, 1.50 kg opium, 30 kg ganja, 259 kg poppy husk and 21,746 intoxicant tablets, pills and capsules. They also seized 646.25 litres of lahan, 1,243.5 litres of illicit liquor and ₹4.03 lakh in alleged drug money.Illegal firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, mobile phones and other incriminating material were also recovered.The operation also led to the detection and dismantling of criminal modules allegedly involved in extortion, vehicle theft, illegal de-addiction centres, the unlawful sale of pharmaceutical drugs and the production or distribution of counterfeit liquor.Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police personally supervised the enforcement activities in their respective jurisdictions.DGP Yadav said the campaign against organised crime would continue until Punjab was completely cleansed of the gangster menace. He appreciated Khanna, Bathinda, Jalandhar Commissionerate, Hoshiarpur and Mansa for recording high enforcement outcomes.Hoshiarpur, Amritsar Commissionerate, Jalandhar Commissionerate, Tarn Taran and Moga were also praised for significant recoveries under the NDPS Act.Punjab Police urged citizens to share information regarding wanted criminals and gangsters through the Anti-Gangster Helpline at 93946-93946, assuring that the identity of informants would remain confidential.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH