Tarn Taran, 04 May (H.S.):

In a major crackdown on organised crime in Punjab’s border villages, Tarn Taran Police has intensified action against the Pakistan-backed drug and arms network that has been allegedly helping gangsters fund illegal activities across the state. Acting under Punjab Police’s “zero tolerance against gangsters” policy and the Bhagwant Mann government’s ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign, police have made significant breakthroughs over the past three months.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba, Tarn Taran Police has registered 490 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, arrested 630 individuals, and recovered 47.527 kilograms of heroin during the last three months alone.

SSP Lamba revealed that police have frozen assets worth nearly 65 crore within a year, with most seizures taking place in the last three months. These assets were reportedly linked directly or indirectly to gangsters and drug smugglers and were allegedly used to finance illegal operations.

Sharing concerns over border security, the SSP said Tarn Taran shares nearly 102 kilometres of border with Pakistan, making it vulnerable to cross-border smuggling. He stated that Pakistan-based handlers have been using drones to send narcotics and weapons into Indian territory.

Police officials said small drones can carry loads between 0.5 kg to 12 kg, while larger drones can transport up to 25 kilograms in one trip. These drones can reportedly enter 5 to 15 kilometres inside Indian territory, making surveillance challenging.

In 2024, police registered 313 NDPS cases, arrested 358 individuals, and recovered 115 kilograms of heroin. Last year, authorities registered 1,334 cases, arrested 1,662 people, and recovered over 244 kilograms of heroin.

Under the ongoing ‘Yudh Nashiyan Virudh’ and ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaigns, Tarn Taran Police has registered 1,736 cases and arrested over 2,200 accused individuals involved in organised crime networks.

During the recently launched “Operation Prahar,” police arrested 236 accused in just six days, including 10 proclaimed offenders, and recovered 3.5 kilograms of heroin.

Police have also seized drones, weapons, motorcycles, and mobile phones. Authorities said anti-drone systems, intelligence-based operations, monitoring of social media accounts, and tracking suspicious bank transactions are being used to dismantle these sophisticated criminal networks.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH