In a significant disclosure, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav revealed on Thursday that the state police have conducted 324 encounters with gangsters since April 2022, resulting in the neutralisation of 24 notorious criminals and the arrest of 515 others. This marks the first time such comprehensive data on police operations against organized crime has been made public in Punjab.
DGP Yadav highlighted that these operations form part of a sustained crackdown on criminal networks, aimed at curbing the rising menace of gangsterism and narcotics in the state. Over the past three-and-a-half years, the police have busted 962 gangster modules and arrested a total of 2,536 individuals linked to organized crime. Authorities have also seized a significant haul of weapons, drugs, and illicit cash, underlining the scale and seriousness of criminal activities in the region.
According to official figures, police teams have recovered:
2,086 illegal firearms, including pistols, rifles, and country-made weapons
564 vehicles used in criminal activities, including cars and motorcycles
79 kilograms of heroin and other narcotics
₹4.69 crore in cash obtained through drug trafficking
Of the 515 gangsters apprehended during encounters, 319 sustained bullet injuries, highlighting the intensity and risk associated with these operations. The DGP also mourned the loss of three police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty, while 41 others were injured while confronting armed criminals.
The disclosure comes amid rising concerns over gangsterism in Punjab. Recently, the state government suspended the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Amritsar Rural district for alleged inaction against criminal gangs, signaling renewed political and administrative focus on tackling organized crime.
DGP Yadav stressed that the Punjab Police remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens. “Our teams are fully dedicated to dismantling criminal networks, curbing gangsterism, and preventing the spread of drugs in our society. These operations reflect our resolve to protect law-abiding citizens and maintain peace across the state,” he said.
Experts say that Punjab has long struggled with organized crime and drug trafficking, with gangs often operating across state and international borders. The disclosure of such large-scale figures by the DGP is seen as an attempt to increase transparency and reassure the public about the police’s efforts to restore law and order.
Community leaders and civil society organizations have welcomed the disclosure but continue to call for sustained action and stronger preventive measures. “While the arrests and encounters are significant, long-term solutions require community engagement, education, and strict monitoring of arms and narcotics,” said a local social activist.
The Punjab Police has also been leveraging intelligence-driven operations to target key gang leaders, disrupt supply chains, and recover assets accumulated through crime. These efforts, combined with visible law enforcement action, are aimed at dismantling organized crime networks and deterring potential criminals from exploiting the state’s resources.
With the ongoing crackdown, authorities hope to send a clear message to criminal elements that Punjab will not tolerate gangsterism or drug-related crimes, and that law enforcement agencies are committed to maintaining law and order at all costs.