Operation Prahar Day 2: Punjab Police Neutralize Murder Accused in Fazilka Encounter; Gangster Caught in Patiala.

The action against gangsters continues on the second day of 'Operation Prahar' launched by the Punjab Police. On the second day of the mission, police in Fazilka encountered a criminal. When the police surrounded the accused to apprehend him, he opened fire. In the retaliatory firing, the criminal was injured. The accused had fired shots at the Fazilka court complex.

A few days ago, the criminal had murdered a young man who had come to the Fazilka court for a hearing. The police have now admitted him to the hospital in an injured condition.

Meanwhile, an encounter took place between the police and notorious gangster Harjinder Singh Ladi on the Sangrur-Patiala bypass in Patiala district. During this encounter, gangster Ladi was injured by police firing. DIG Kuldeep Singh Chahal said that the arrested criminal has several serious cases registered against him. Illegal weapons have been recovered from him.

He said that under the special operation, 126 people have been arrested from the entire range. 60 people have been arrested in Patiala alone.

It is worth noting that Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav had launched a 72-hour 'Operation Prahar' on Tuesday. Two thousand police teams were deployed in this operation.

1314 associates of gangsters arrested on the first day
On the first day, the Punjab Police detained 1314 associates and accomplices of foreign-based gangsters across the state. All of them are being interrogated thoroughly. The operation has continued since this morning.

Police are active in all districts including Mohali, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Moga. The aim is to cripple the gangsters through this operation.

Monitoring gangster activities, helpline number issued
Under the operation, the police are investigating gangsters, their associates, and family members involved in their activities across the state. A helpline number 93946-93946 has also been issued to provide information about gangsters. As the police launched Operation Prahar, encounters took place in Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Mandi Gobindgarh yesterday. DIG Sandeep Goyal stated that a notorious gangster, Mani Prince, who had around 50 cases registered against him, was killed in an encounter in Amritsar.

An attempt was made to apprehend Mani in the Gharinda police station area. During this, he opened fire on the police. The police retaliated, resulting in Mani's death.

Key points from DGP Gaurav Yadav regarding gangsters...

60 Gangsters, their associates and families mapped
DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that the main gangsters active in the state have been identified, many of whom are based abroad. The police have also mapped hundreds of active associates and family members connected to these gangsters. Special police teams have been formed for surveillance and action, and they are conducting raids and interrogations at various locations.

Action will be taken even if family members are involved
The DGP clarified that if any family member of a gangster is found to be involved in any criminal activity, legal action will be taken against them as well. He said that criminals sitting abroad should not consider themselves safe. He also appealed to misguided youth to return to the mainstream.

Crackdown on travel agents and criminal financing
The police are taking strict action against crime funding and money laundering networks. Properties linked to drug trafficking have been frozen. Action is also being taken against assets and businesses associated with gangsters. Travel agents who illegally send criminals abroad are being identified and legal action is being taken against them.

Process to bring gangsters based abroad back to India expedited
The DGP stated that an Overseas Fugitive Trafficking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) has been formed, which will work on the identification, deportation, and extradition process of criminals based abroad. Red Corner Notices have been issued against several gangsters, while efforts are underway in other cases. Action Against Promotion of Crime on Social Media
Police are taking strict action against social media content related to the display of weapons and glorification of crime. A large number of objectionable posts have been removed, and several accounts have been shut down.

Operation to Extend to Other States and Prisons
The action against gangsters will not be limited to this state alone. Raids will also be conducted in other states. Technical and administrative measures are being taken to curb those operating criminal activities from within prisons, including enhanced prison security and correctional measures.