Declaring an open war on organised crime, DGP Gaurav Yadav said the Punjab Police are determined to make the state completely gangster-free.
“We will not leave any place for gangsters in Punjab. This is not a short-term drive. It is a sustained campaign to dismantle their entire ecosystem,” the DGP said.
He stressed that the operation has no fixed deadline and will continue relentlessly until criminal networks are fully neutralised. The strategy focuses on intelligence-driven, professional, and targeted actions rather than symbolic enforcement.
Operation Prahar is being executed simultaneously across all districts of Punjab. During the initial 72-hour phase, police teams are focusing on:
- 60 key gangsters currently based abroad
- Around 1,200 known associates
- Nearly 600 family members allegedly involved in criminal activities
Police officials said every arrested individual will be thoroughly interrogated to identify deeper links, leading to further arrests and dismantling of entire criminal modules.
Senior officers have termed the operation unprecedented in scale, noting that no previous state-level action in India has matched this level of coordination and manpower deployment.
Unlike conventional crackdowns, Operation Prahar targets not just gangsters but the entire support system that enables organised crime.
- Safe houses used for hiding and planning crimes
- Illegal weapon supply chains
- Financial networks and money laundering operations
- Logistical support providers and local facilitators
Police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward anyone aiding or abetting gangsters, regardless of the scale of involvement. Even minor assistance, officials warned, will invite strict legal action.
A major component of Operation Prahar is the crackdown on gangsters operating from foreign countries.
- Setting up a dedicated overseas coordination cell
- Issuing Interpol Red Corner Notices (RCNs)
- Sending extradition and deportation requests through international channels
Of the 60 identified gangsters based abroad, 23 Red Corner Notices have already been issued, while the remaining 37 will be processed shortly. Authorities are also working closely with foreign agencies to trace gangsters hiding in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
The DGP issued a direct appeal to young individuals who may have been drawn into gangster activities.
“This is the time to return to the mainstream. The crackdown has begun, and there will be no leniency going forward,” he said.
At the same time, police have intensified action against travel agents and facilitators who help criminals flee the country or manage operations from abroad. Several such agents have already been identified, and strict legal proceedings are underway.
Punjab Police are also focusing on choking the financial lifelines of organised crime.
Authorities confirmed that:
- Proceeds of crime will be seized and attached
- Funding sources and money laundering routes will be investigated
- Properties and assets acquired through criminal activities will face confiscation under relevant laws
This financial disruption is expected to significantly weaken gangster networks over the long term.
To motivate officers involved in the operation, the Punjab Police have announced an incentive and reward policy worth Rs 10 crore.
- SSPs can recommend cash awards up to Rs 1 lakh
- Commissioners of Police and DIG ranges can approve rewards up to Rs 1.50 lakh
- Rewards above Rs 2 lakh will require DGP-level approval
- Incentives for drug seizures, successful convictions, and exceptional performance
- Out-of-turn promotions and additional cash rewards for outstanding officers
Officials believe this will further strengthen on-ground enforcement and accountability.
As part of community involvement, Punjab Police have launched a dedicated anti-gangster helpline: 9394693946.
The helpline operates round the clock, allowing citizens to share information about gangsters, their associates, or suspicious activities. Police have assured that the identity of informers will be kept strictly confidential.
Operation Prahar builds on earlier efforts by Punjab Police, including arrests, module busts, and international coordination. Officials say the operation reflects a no-holds-barred approach that combines:
- Ground-level raids
- Financial investigations
- International pressure
- Public cooperation
The goal, police reiterated, is to restore public confidence, ensure citizen safety, and eliminate the influence of organised crime from Punjab.
- 12,000 Punjab Police personnel deployed in a 72-hour intensive crackdown
- Targeting gangsters, associates, and family members linked to crime
- Strong focus on gangsters operating from abroad
- Financial networks and safe houses under scanner
- Rs 10 crore reward policy announced for police personnel
- 24×7 anti-gangster helpline launched for public support
Operation Prahar signals a decisive moment in Punjab’s fight against organised crime, sending a clear message that the state will no longer tolerate gangster dominance in any form.