100% high-profile crimes solved, 66 terrorists arrested in 2024: Punjab Police

“From the series of attacks on police establishments to the high-profile killings of Hindu leader Vikas Bagga in Nangal and ex-terrorist Rattandeep Singh, the Punjab Police have left no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

Other notable cases resolved include the grenade blast at a residence in Sector 10, Chandigarh, the grenade attack at a petrol station in Mansa, and a triple murder case in Ferozepur.

Crackdown on cybercrime

The IGP said the Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Division achieved significant milestones in 2024, with an 82.7 per cent rise in cybercrime reporting compared to the previous year. This increase reflects growing public trust and awareness, he added.

He noted that 28 new cybercrime police stations were established across the state, leading to 374 FIRs and the arrest of 64 individuals.

Additionally, the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting helpline (1930) handled 35,201 complaints, reporting fraud worth Rs 467.1 crores, of which Rs 73.34 crores were recovered via lien marking. Punjab ranked first nationally in lien marking in July. The division also blocked over 7,500 harmful URLs and trained 966 personnel in cybercrime handling.

Crackdown on drugs

Police teams recovered 1,099 kg of heroin, 991 kg of opium, 414 quintals of poppy husk, and 2.94 lakh pharma opioid tablets, capsules, and injections. Drug money worth Rs 14.73 crores was also confiscated.

The IGP highlighted the preventive detention of two notorious drug smugglers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act. The police also forfeited 531 properties worth Rs 335 crores linked to drug smugglers.

Additionally, 71 drug consumers, caught with small quantities, opted for rehabilitation under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act.

Crackdown on gangsters

Punjab Police arrested 843 proclaimed offenders and absconders in NDPS cases in 2024. The Anti-Gangster Task Force dismantled 198 gangster modules, arresting 559 individuals and recovering 482 weapons, 102 vehicles, 7 kg of heroin, and Rs 2.14 crore in drug money.

There were 64 encounters between police and criminals, during which three gangsters were neutralised, and 63 were arrested, with 56 sustaining injuries. One police officer was martyred, and nine personnel were injured.

Action against terrorists

The Internal Security Wing busted 12 terror modules, arresting 66 terrorists and recovering two rifles, 76 pistols, two tiffin IEDs, 758 grams of RDX, four grenades, and 257 drones. Drones dropped 185 kg of heroin, 24 pistols, one AK-47 rifle, one IED, and Rs 4.18 lakh in drug money.

Efforts to curb mobile phone misuse in jails led to 2,348 IMEI numbers being blacklisted and 731 mobile numbers blocked. Social media accounts promoting violence were also targeted, with 483 such accounts blocked.

Jobs in police

The IGP noted the recruitment of 4,657 personnel in 2024, including 288 sub-inspectors, 450 head constables, and 3,919 constables. Recruitment for 1,746 constables is ongoing.

Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF)

The SSF project led to a 15.74 per cent reduction in road fatalities in its first four months, saving 147 lives. The force also addressed 9,836 accidents, provided first aid to 5,661 individuals, and transported 5,686 injured persons to hospitals.

Modernisation and prisons

Punjab Police added 426 high-end vehicles and intensified CCTV surveillance with an investment of Rs 45.19 crores. The Prisons Department identified 456 high-risk prisoners, segregating them into 40 high-security zones across 13 prisons to counter organised crime. Advanced AI-based systems and V-Kavach jammers are being installed in sensitive prisons.