In a stark revelation that underscores the intensity of law enforcement operations in the state, data shared by Punjab's top police official has shown that Punjab Police personnel have been involved in an astonishing 324 shootouts since April 2022. This translates to a violent confrontation with criminals occurring roughly every four days.
A Statewide Crackdown on Crime
Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, presented the figures on Thursday, detailing a comprehensive and aggressive campaign against organized crime. According to the official statement, the police force has successfully busted 962 gangster and criminal modules across Punjab in this period. This massive operation led to the arrest of 2,536 individuals suspected of being involved in criminal activities.
The crackdown, however, came at a significant cost. DGP Yadav confirmed that 24 criminals were neutralised during these encounters. The human toll on the police force was also severe, with three officers making the ultimate sacrifice and 41 personnel sustaining injuries in the line of duty.
Massive Haul of Weapons, Drugs, and Money
The police operations yielded a significant recovery of resources used for and generated from illegal activities. The force seized a small arsenal of 2,086 weapons and 564 vehicles that were being used by criminals. In a major blow to the narcotics trade, the police confiscated a substantial 79 kilograms of heroin and intercepted Rs 4.7 crore in drug money.
Providing a detailed breakdown of the shootouts, DGP Yadav stated, "At least 324 exchanges of fire took place between police parties and criminals in this period, during which 24 gangsters/criminals were neutralised and 515 gangsters/criminals were arrested, of which 319 sustained injuries. Unfortunately, three of our colleagues attained martyrdom, while 41 police personnel sustained injuries during the exchanges of fire."
The Role of the Anti-Gangster Task Force
A key driver behind this relentless offensive has been the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF). Headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Promod Ban, the AGTF was specifically formed to dismantle the gangster culture plaguing the state. The DGP highlighted that this specialized unit has spearheaded targeted operations not only within Punjab but also in other parts of the country.
The AGTF's strategy includes sharing real-time intelligence with various field units, enabling coordinated and effective joint operations against high-priority targets. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in the large number of modules busted and arrests made, marking a significant step in the state's ongoing battle against organized crime.
