In the wake of the ensuing G-20 meeting at Amritsar, Punjab Police on Tuesday conducted a special cordon and search operation (CASO) under which raids were conducted at more than 300 locations and hideouts related with the foreign-based gangsters as well as their associates.

The CASO was conducted on the directions of the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav in all the 28 Police districts with an aim to make Punjab a safe and secure State.

Sharing details, the state’s Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and Order, Arpit Shukla said that Commissioners of Police or Senior Superintendents of Police were directed to personally monitor these raids and make sufficient numbers of Police teams so that raids could be carried out simultaneously. The raids were planned after the questioning of recently arrested gangsters and criminals, he added.

Around 100 parties of Punjab Police, involving over 1000 Police Personnel, were deployed to conduct these raids at suspected places and hideouts of foreign-based gangsters, he said, adding that over 300 houses and other shelters were thoroughly checked by the Police teams.

ADGP Shukla said that the Police teams have conducted thorough searches at the houses and other premises, and also collected data from mobile phones and other electronic devices, which will be sent for forensic examinations. He said that several persons have also been detained for further verification and incriminating material has been seized from their possession, which is being further examined.

He said that the Police teams have also checked arms licences and questioned people about the sourcing of ammunition, besides, gathering travel details of foreign-based family members, bank transactions from abroad, and western union and property details for further examination.

ADGP said that this operation was aimed to keep a constant tab and close surveillance on the anti-social elements. He said that Punjab Police will not let anyone to disturb the hard-earned peace of the state and if any person found indulged in any violent activities will be dealt with firmly and criminal cases will be registered immediately.

Meanwhile, such raids also help in infusing fear among the anti-social elements, whilst instilling a sense of safety and security among the common people.