Author: Ruchika Kakkar
On March 9, 2026, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria expressed concern over the state’s law and order situation, observing, “In Punjab, the current law and order situation is very challenging, and it is the weak link. Almost every day, gunshots are being fired and murders taking place.” Earlier, on February 7, 2026, he had stated, “Criminals in Punjab do not have the fear of law that they should.”
Punjab has seen a surge in violent crimes and incidents of gunfire. Since the beginning of 2026, several notable violent incidents in Punjab have been linked to gangster activities, including:
On March 6, 2026, Unidentified assailants shot dead village sarpanch (village head) Harpinder Singh alias Happy of Patto Hira Singh village in Baghapurana Sub-Division of Moga District, Punjab.
On February 18, 2026, the Sarpanch of Thathian Mehta Village in Tarn Taran District was shot dead by unidentified assailants during a wedding ceremony.
On February 6, 2026, Lucky Oberoi, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, was gunned down outside the Model Town Gurdwara in Jalandhar District.
On January 15, 2026, A hardware store owner and AAP leader, Balvinder Singh Satkartar, was shot dead when three unidentified bike-borne assailants opened fire at his hardware store in Miani village of Hoshiarpur district.
On January 4, 2026, AAP-backed sarpanch Jarmal Singh was shot during a wedding ceremony in Amritsar District. Two shooters were later arrested. Foreign-based gangsters Donny Bal and Prabh Dassuwal, linked to the Bambiha gang, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their associate Gangu Thackarpuria carried out the shooting.
On January 3, 2026, Congress leader Umarsir Singh was shot dead in Bhinder Kalan village of Moga District.
According to the data compiled by Khalistan Extremism Monitor (KEM), security agencies in Punjab arrested 8,319 individuals linked to organised criminal gangs or Khalistani outfits in 2026 (data till February 28). This includes 163 arrests in 18 major composite seizure cases involving drugs and weapons, 5,032 arrests in 62 illegal arms seizure incidents, and 5,433 arrests in 4,762 narcotics seizure cases. Since 2023 (data till February 28, 2026), KEM data shows that a total of 10,310 individuals have been arrested for links to organised crime or Khalistani groups. Of these, 739 were arrested in 217 major composite seizure cases, 6,356 in 641 illegal arms seizures, and 30,801 in 21,994 narcotics seizure cases.
Punjab Police reported that, between 2023 and early 2026, the state investigated around 92 shooting incidents linked to organised crime, of which 84 cases had been worked out. A total of 216 shooters were involved, and 160 of them have been arrested, with 56 still at large.
These incidents highlight the expanding network of criminal gangs and the transnational nexus involving gangs, drug trafficking, and extremist elements in Punjab, rather than a single coordinated conspiracy. Over a dozen gangs are reportedly operating openly. Police estimates suggest around 60 Punjab-linked gangsters are currently based abroad, particularly in the US and Canada, engaging in targeted killings, gang rivalries, and extortion. In some recent killings, it seems, there is a recurring pattern in many cases, the victims’ connections to political parties or local political structures, underscoring the growing overlap between crime and local politics. Notably, three village heads were killed within the first two months of 2026.
Several structural factors have contributed to this trend. Foreign-based gangsters, often backed by Pakistan’s ISI and operating from Canada, USA, UK, and Europe, among others. Major gangster networks operating in Punjab include those led by Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, the Bambiha gang, and the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, along with several splinter groups. On the other hand, ISI handlers have reportedly used YouTube to train recruits in grenade handling and are recruiting criminals from other states, including Bihar, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, to carry out attacks in Punjab. On February 24, 2026, two police personnel – Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Ashok Kumar – were shot dead inside a police outpost in Adhian village, Gurdaspur, with six shell casings recovered. While Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan claimed responsibility, police investigations indicated possible ISI influence, with handlers directing the attack. One accused was later killed in an encounter, and another was arrested.
The easy availability of illegal firearms through smuggling networks from Pakistan, combined with the glorification of gangsters on social media, has fueled recruitment into criminal groups. In 2025, the Border Security Force (BSF) seized large quantities of heroin, over 200 weapons, and 278 drones, while arresting 53 infiltrators. Such smuggling of arms, ammunition, and narcotics has increased the flow of weapons and drugs, enabling criminal networks to carry out violent acts across the region.
Narcotics continue to pose the biggest challenge to controlling crime in Punjab. According to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) annual report for 2024, Punjab led the country in heroin seizures, with 1,150 kg confiscated by drug law enforcement agencies (DLEAs), out of a total 2,596 kg seized nationwide. Presenting the Annual Crime Report 2025, DGP stated that Punjab Police seized 5.578 million intoxicant capsules and kilograms of ICE (crystal meth). Authorities also recovered 698 kg of opium. A total of 40,000 drug smugglers were arrested during the year. In terms of criminal activity, the DGP reported 680 murder cases, 1,583 kidnapping cases, and 944 rape cases. Police also dismantled 19 terrorist modules, resulting in 131 arrests.
To curb crime, the Punjab government launched Gangster Te Vaar along with Prahar1 and Prahar2 operations, conducting thousands of raids that led to over 13,000 arrests, recovery of weapons, drugs, and cash. Despite these efforts, organised crime and smuggling continue, underscoring resilient underground networks. Daily raids, often in the hundreds, maintain sustained pressure on law enforcement. To tackle evolving threats, investigators are leveraging digital tools, including data-driven criminal databases and voice recognition systems. The Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS) now holds over 72,000 voice samples of criminals and suspects, enabling rapid identification of individuals behind extortion and threat calls. Punjab’s security is further strained by Khalistan-linked terrorism, with organised crime, foreign-based gangsters, and gang-motivated killings posing major challenges to peace and public safety
Author: Ruchika Kakkar
Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management