Amritsar, March 19 (NationPress) The Punjab Police ramped up its anti-drug and anti-gangster efforts on Thursday as part of the ongoing ‘Gangster Te War’ initiative, executing extensive Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) across various districts, including Barnala, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur.

Senior police officials indicated that these synchronized operations are designed to dismantle drug trafficking networks and apprehend individuals associated with organized crime.

In Amritsar, a CASO took place in the village of Pandori Warraich.

Special DGP of Traffic, Amardeep Singh Rai, reported that law enforcement teams seized a firearm and additional items during the operation.

"This operation occurred in Pandori Warraich village, part of our Amritsar Rural Police district. We recovered a gun, cartridges, and a GPS device from a residence linked to a proclaimed offender, who is wanted in connection with six registered cases," he stated.

Officials confirmed that the search operation also resulted in the recovery of ammunition, a magazine, and a GPS device during the raids in the village.

In Hoshiarpur, a CASO was conducted in Bahadurpur Colony with a significant presence of police personnel.

ADGP of Internal Security, Shive Kumar Verma, explained that the operation was executed simultaneously at multiple locations to target drug smugglers.

"Today, we are executing a CASO here in Hoshiarpur. We are currently in Bahadurpur Colony, with operations taking place at approximately 18 locations across the district, involving around 500 personnel," Verma elaborated.

He added that police teams first identify areas where drug traffickers are active before conducting searches at their residences to gather evidence and initiate legal proceedings.

Officials stated that such coordinated operations will persist throughout the state as part of the Punjab Police’s ongoing ‘Gangster Te War’ campaign aimed at combating drug trafficking and organized crime.

In Barnala district, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Sarfaraz Alam reported that a significant number of cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act as part of the campaign.

“Barnala Police, under the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh initiative, has filed approximately 541 cases under the NDPS Act and apprehended 1,028 drug traffickers. A substantial quantity of drugs has also been seized,” Alam stated.

He further noted that police actions have extended to illegal assets associated with drug traffickers.

“Additionally, the police have demolished 12 illegal properties and frozen illicit assets amounting to nearly Rs 5 crore, along with making significant seizures,” he added.

The Barnala police conducted this special anti-drug campaign on the directives of the Punjab Director General of Police, deploying a large force to perform raids and checks in areas identified as drug trafficking hotspots.