Panjab Conducts Operation 'Prahar' Against Gangsters & Associates

The Panjab government has launched Operation Prahar (strike), a massive statewide crackdown aimed at dismantling the entire ecosystem of organized crime, with more than 2K police teams conducting coordinated raids across the state. The 72-hour-long operation between 20–22 Jan targeted associates, financiers and support networks linked to 61 foreign-based gangsters, with around 12K police personnel deployed in what officials described as one of the largest anti-gangster drives in recent years. Panjab Director General of Panjab Police Gaurav Yadav said that the crackdown is aimed at breaking the entire crime network, not just arresting shooters or foot soldiers. Yadav said, 'Financing, logistics, safe houses, weapon supply chains and communication networks—we are committed to busting the entire ecosystem. There will be zero tolerance for those aiding or abetting gangsters.' He said the police had mapped around 1,200 associates, along with nearly 600 family members allegedly involved in criminal activities. Prominent gangsters under the scanner include Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, Rohit Godara, Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, Supreet Singh alias Harry Chattha, and Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. Of the 61 Panjabi gangsters operating from foreign soil, 18 are in the US, followed by nine in the UAE, six each in Canada and Germany, five in the UK and Europe, three each in Australia and Portugal, two in Thailand/Malaysia and one each in Pakistan, Italy, Brazil, and Indonesia. Gangsters running criminal syndicates from foreign soil have rattled law enforcement agencies, especially in Panjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, where several high-profile killings carried out on their instructions. 21 foreign-based gangsters already face red-corner notices. Panjab has also formed the Overseas Fugitive Tracking & Extradition Cell (OFTEC) to track and arrest foreign based gangsters and terrorists. The unit will operate under the supervision of Indian Police Services officer Ashish Choudhary, designated as the state nodal officer for international police cooperation. Yadav said between April 2022–October 2025, Panjab saw 324 armed exchanges between the police and gangs, leaving 24 gangsters dead, 515 arrested, 319 injured and three police officers killed. By the end of Operation Prahar, the police had arrested 3,287 gangsters (earlier coverage).