Chandigarh, Dec 27 (NationPress) The Punjab Police have asserted that they have effectively preserved peace and stability in the state throughout this year, taking decisive measures against ISI-backed terror networks. They successfully thwarted 12 terror plots and apprehended 50 individuals linked to these modules, in addition to seizing heroin that accounts for nearly two-thirds of the nation's total. The conviction rate under the NDPS has reached an impressive 88 percent, the highest in the country.

In a year marked by significant achievements in counter-terrorism, crime suppression, and the anti-drugs initiative named Yudh Nashiyan Virudh, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav highlighted in his year-end video that the prevention of ISI-backed terror plots included hand-grenade strikes in various regions and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on a police facility. The police also dismantled an additional seven modules.

Providing insights into their operations against terrorism, he noted that the Internal Security Wing has dismantled 19 modules, leading to the arrest of 131 individuals this year. The authorities recovered nine rifles, 188 revolvers and pistols, 12 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 11.62 kg of RDX, 54 hand grenades, 32 detonators, four RPGs, one disposed rocket launcher sleeve, two timer switches, three walkie-talkies, and eight remote-controlled devices from their possession.

In terms of their anti-drug efforts under the Yudh Nashiyan Virudh campaign, initiated on March 1, DGP Yadav reported that police registered 29,784 FIRs and made 39,867 arrests, culminating in a record recovery of 2,021 kg of heroin within a single year.

In addition to the substantial heroin haul, authorities confiscated 26 kg of ICE, 698 kg of opium, 35,000 kg of poppy husk, 55.78 lakh intoxicating pills and capsules, alongside Rs 16.81 crore in drug money from nabbed smugglers.

He emphasized that the police conducted investigations in a methodical and professional manner, achieving a conviction rate of 88 percent, which is among the highest nationwide. This year, 5,901 cases out of 6,728 decided cases resulted in convictions.

The DGP acknowledged that the “Safe Punjab” helpline has been transformative, generating 10,889 FIRs based on 28,952 tips, with a 38 percent conversion rate. Property valued at Rs 263 crore belonging to 548 smugglers was frozen under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act.

He pointed out that heroin seizures in the state account for nearly two-thirds of all heroin confiscations nationwide, with Punjab's share of national NDPS arrests at 25 percent, and nearly 20 percent of all NDPS cases registered in the state.

As part of their preventive measures, the police facilitated the admission of 23,940 individuals to de-addiction centers and referred 59,840 persons to OOAT clinics, emphasizing a commitment to rehabilitation.

Regarding accomplishments against gangsters, the DGP reported that the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), alongside field units, has effectively dismantled 416 gangsters and criminal modules, leading to the arrest of 992 individuals and the recovery of 620 weapons and 252 vehicles utilized in criminal activities.

The DGP noted that there has been a continued emphasis on issuing Red Notices, Blue Notices, and collaborating with the CBI and central agencies for the extradition and deportation of overseas criminals. The Punjab Police successfully geo-located gangster Anmol Bishnoi, cooperating with central agencies that led to his deportation. Additionally, Parminder Singh, alias Pindi, involved in terror activities has been deported, and two other criminals, Sukhdev Kumar, alias Manish Bedi, and Sajan Masih, alias Goru, were tracked across borders and arrested in Mumbai.