Punjab Government Establishes First Dedicated Anti-Gangster Task Force Police Station in Rajpura
The Punjab government has taken a significant step in the fight against organized crime by establishing the state's first dedicated Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) police station in Rajpura, Patiala. This initiative aims to intensify action against criminal networks that operate across district boundaries, marking a strategic shift in law enforcement approaches.
Year Against Gangsters: 2026 Declared as Focus Period
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has officially declared 2026 as the 'Year Against Gangsters', signaling a sustained and coordinated campaign to dismantle the entire ecosystem supporting gang activity. This declaration comes as part of a broader strategy to address the growing challenge of organized crime in the state.
Statewide Authority and Operational Independence
Unlike conventional police stations that are limited by jurisdictional boundaries, the Rajpura AGTF station possesses authority across the entire state of Punjab. This unique feature enables investigators to:
- Register cases without jurisdictional constraints
- Conduct coordinated raids across multiple districts
- Pursue suspects without inter-district procedural delays
The facility was established under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 and is structured to function independently with its own investigative chain. This independence reduces reliance on local police stations and minimizes the risk of intelligence leaks, creating a more secure operational environment.
Key Operational Features and Infrastructure
The Rajpura AGTF station boasts several critical operational advantages:
- Specialized Personnel: Over 150 specialized personnel supervised by DSP- and SSP-rank officers
- Strategic Location: Rajpura's proximity to Chandigarh and Mohali allows for close oversight by senior leadership
- Secure Facilities: A high-security strong room for case property and sensitive materials
- Direct Authority: Investigative authority to accelerate statewide action against criminal networks
Operation Prahaar II: Coordinated Statewide Offensive
The launch of the AGTF station coincided with the culmination of Operation Prahaar II, a 72-hour coordinated offensive targeting organized crime networks across Punjab. According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, this massive operation involved:
- Approximately 2,000 police teams
- Around 12,000 personnel
- Raids conducted at more than 8,200 locations statewide
Officials stated that this initiative demonstrated the government's intent to combine intelligence, manpower, and legal authority into rapid, high-impact enforcement actions against criminal elements.
Enhanced Coordination and Streamlined Investigations
Government officials emphasized that the establishment of the AGTF station is intended to enhance coordination, streamline investigations, and strengthen targeted action against organized criminal networks operating across district boundaries. This represents a fundamental shift in how Punjab approaches organized crime investigation and prosecution.
Future Infrastructure Development
Looking ahead, the Punjab government has approved a comprehensive Rs 426-crore police infrastructure programme to be rolled out over three years. This ambitious plan includes:
- Upgrading police station connectivity to high-speed networks
- Modernizing the Dial-112 emergency response ecosystem
- Improving real-time coordination capabilities
- Enhancing public safety delivery mechanisms
The establishment of the Rajpura AGTF station represents a significant milestone in Punjab's ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and create a safer environment for its citizens through innovative law enforcement strategies and infrastructure development.
