The Gangsteran Te Var campaign of the Punjab Government is a comprehensive, sustained and high-intensity initiative aimed at dismantling the ecosystem of organized crime that has for years threatened public safety, social stability and economic confidence in the state. Conceived as more than a routine law-and-order drive, the campaign represents a clear political and administrative resolve to confront gang culture at its roots by combining aggressive policing with systemic reforms and preventive strategies. Under this campaign, the Punjab Police has shifted towards intelligence-led operations, using data analytics, technical surveillance and ground-level human intelligence to identify active gangs, their leadership structures, funding channels and cross-border linkages.
Special task forces and dedicated anti-gangster units have been strengthened to conduct swift and coordinated operations, resulting in the arrest of notorious gang leaders, shooters and facilitators, as well as the neutralisation of armed criminals during encounters when necessary to protect public life. A key focus of the campaign has been to break the culture of fear created by gangs through extortion, contract killings and public displays of violence, ensuring that ordinary citizens, traders, transporters and professionals can live and work without intimidation.
The government has emphasised that no criminal, regardless of political connections, wealth or influence, will be spared, reinforcing the principle of equality before law and restoring public faith in the justice system. Alongside arrests, the campaign has prioritised the financial dismantling of gang networks by attaching and confiscating illegally acquired properties, freezing bank accounts and tracking money trails, thereby choking the economic lifelines that allow gangs to recruit members, procure weapons and expand their operations. This financial crackdown sends a strong message that crime will no longer be profitable in Punjab. The Gangster Te Var campaign also recognises the deep and dangerous nexus between organised crime and the drug trade, which has devastated many families and communities, especially among the youth.
By targeting drug traffickers who fund or collaborate with gangs, the campaign seeks to weaken both networks simultaneously, addressing crime and narcotics as interconnected challenges rather than isolated problems. Border security coordination, increased vigilance against illegal arms smuggling, and cooperation with central agencies and neighbouring states have further strengthened the campaign’s reach, ensuring that criminals cannot escape accountability by crossing jurisdictions. Importantly, the Punjab Government has framed Gangster Te Var not only as a force-driven response but also as a broader social intervention. Efforts have been made to prevent first-time offenders and vulnerable youth from being drawn into gang culture by expanding employment opportunities, skill development programmes, sports initiatives and community engagement activities, particularly in areas identified as crime-prone. Police-community relations have been emphasised to encourage citizens to share information without fear, supported by assurances of protection for witnesses and informants.
The campaign has also underscored the importance of speedy investigation and prosecution, working towards stronger case preparation, use of modern forensic tools and better coordination with the prosecution machinery so that arrested criminals are convicted swiftly, reducing the cycle of bail and repeat offences that has historically weakened deterrence. By maintaining transparency in its actions and regularly communicating outcomes, the government aims to build public confidence and counter misinformation or glorification of gangsters, which often spreads through social media and popular culture.
The Gangster Te Var campaign thus seeks to change the narrative around crime in Punjab, replacing fear and fatalism with accountability and hope. It signals a decisive shift from reactive policing to proactive governance, where the state asserts its authority firmly while remaining sensitive to social realities. Over time, the campaign aspires to create a safer environment that attracts investment, supports economic growth and allows communities to thrive without the shadow of violence. In essence, Gangster Te Var represents the Punjab Government’s commitment to reclaiming the state from organised crime through unwavering enforcement of law, strategic prevention and a long-term vision of peace, justice and social well-being.