Punjab Launches First Dedicated AGTF Police Station to Combat Organized Crime

Punjab Launches First Dedicated AGTF Police Station to Combat Organized Crime

In a significant move to intensify the crackdown on organized crime, the Punjab government has established the state's first dedicated Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Police Station in Rajpura, Patiala. This initiative marks a strategic shift in law enforcement, designed to dismantle criminal networks that operate across district boundaries.

Year Against Gangsters: A Coordinated Campaign

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has declared 2026 as the "Year Against Gangsters," signaling a sustained and coordinated campaign to eradicate the ecosystem supporting gang activity. The new AGTF police station is a cornerstone of this effort, enabling investigators to register cases, conduct coordinated raids, and pursue suspects without the procedural delays typically associated with inter-district operations.

Unlike conventional police stations limited by jurisdictional constraints, the Rajpura AGTF station has authority across the entire state of Punjab. This broad mandate allows for seamless investigations and rapid response to criminal activities, regardless of location.

Operational Structure and Key Features

Established under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the facility is structured to function independently with its own investigative chain. This autonomy reduces reliance on local police stations and minimizes the risk of intelligence leaks, ensuring more secure and efficient operations.

Key operational highlights of the AGTF police station include:

• More than 150 specialized personnel supervised by DSP- and SSP-rank officers.
• Strategic location in Rajpura, providing proximity to Chandigarh and Mohali for close oversight by senior leadership.
• A high-security strong room for storing case property and sensitive materials.
• Direct investigative authority to accelerate statewide action against organized crime.

Coinciding with Operation Prahaar 2

The launch of the AGTF police station coincided with the culmination of Operation Prahaar 2, a 72-hour coordinated offensive targeting organized crime networks across Punjab. According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, this operation mobilized around 2,000 police teams and 12,000 personnel, who conducted raids at more than 8,200 locations statewide.

Officials emphasized that this initiative demonstrates the government's intent to combine intelligence, manpower, and legal authority into rapid, high-impact enforcement. "The move is intended to enhance coordination, streamline investigations, and strengthen targeted action against organized criminal networks operating across district boundaries," they stated.

Future Infrastructure Investments

Looking ahead, the state government has approved a Rs 426-crore police infrastructure program to be rolled out over the next three years. This program includes upgrading station connectivity to high-speed networks and modernizing the Dial-112 emergency response ecosystem. These improvements aim to enhance real-time coordination and public safety delivery, further supporting the fight against organized crime.

The establishment of the AGTF police station represents a proactive step by the Punjab government to address the challenges posed by cross-border criminal activities. By centralizing efforts and leveraging specialized resources, authorities hope to create a more robust and responsive law enforcement framework in the state.