In view of the forthcoming G-20 meeting at Amritsar, Punjab Police conducted a special cordon and search operation (CASO) under which raids were conducted at locations and hideouts related to the foreign-based gangsters as well as their associates.
The CASO was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav in all 28 police districts. Giving more details about the operation, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that CPs and SSPs 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 Arpit Shukla said that 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 other persons have also been detained for further verification, and incriminating material has been seized from their possession and is being further examined. He said that the police teams have also checked arms licenses 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.
