Chandigarh, April 21: Punjab Police continued to intensify their crackdown on organized crime on Tuesday, conducting 561 raids at mapped locations as the “Gangstran Te Vaar” initiative reached its 91st day. Executed under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state-wide operation resulted in the arrest of 281 individuals and the recovery of six weapons.
The campaign, which began on January 20, 2026, aims to dismantle the infrastructure supporting gangsters. Coordination between district police units and the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has led to a total of 22,886 arrests since the drive’s inception. Authorities noted that three proclaimed offenders were among those apprehended during the latest round of inspections.
“The scale of arrests and recoveries reflects the success of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’,” officials stated. They maintained that the operation continues to target the associates and logistical networks that sustain criminal activity in the state.
Simultaneously, the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” anti-drug campaign marked its 416th day with the arrest of 116 smugglers. Police recovered over 1 kg of heroin and 22 kg of poppy husk during Tuesday’s operations. Beyond enforcement, the police stated that 44 individuals were successfully motivated to join rehabilitation and de-addiction programs, reflecting a balanced approach to the state’s security challenges.
