Punjab has seen a significant rise in organized crime in recent years, with many incidents linked to people from other states or abroad. Extortion, gangster-related intimidation, and violent crimes have been on the rise, often orchestrated by transnational networks. According to Punjab Police reports, from January 2023 to March 2025, 569 FIRs were registered related to threats and extortion by gangsters. Many of these networks are run by crime bosses based overseas, particularly in Canada, the United States, and Portugal. These gangs operate through encrypted apps and hawala transactions, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace them.
Key criminal networks include the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the Goldy Brar gang, with local “foot soldiers” carrying out shootings, threats, and intimidation on the ground. The modus operandi often involves contacting businessmen, doctors, and other prominent citizens to demand large sums of money, ranging from tens of lakhs to crores of rupees. These gangs also recruit local youth, creating a deep-rooted criminal network within Punjab.
Punjab Police have uncovered disturbing cases of collusion between criminals and law enforcement. In one high-profile case, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) was arrested for collaborating with a US-based gangster’s extortion racket. Investigations revealed that over ₹83 lakh in extorted funds, along with illegal firearms and luxury vehicles, were being handled through the police officer. This case highlighted not only transnational crime but also the challenges posed by internal corruption within law enforcement.
Inter-state criminal networks also pose a serious challenge. Punjab Police are actively working to bring back around four dozen gangsters who are currently jailed in other states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Haryana. Many of these criminals continue to coordinate their criminal enterprises from jail, recruiting youth and directing extortion activities. These operations include members of gangs such as the Davinder Bambiha gang, Lakhbir Landa gang, and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang.
Terror-linked and drug trafficking networks further complicate the situation. Some criminal elements in Punjab have connections to Khalistani militants and international narcotics networks. Punjab Police have reported cases of Babbar Khalsa International modules involved in extortion and terror-related activities, with handlers based abroad. Drug trafficking operations often intersect with organized crime, providing both funding and manpower for extortion and violent crimes across the state.
Despite these challenges, not all organized crime in Punjab is driven by outsiders. Police sources indicate that about 80% of extortion calls are made by local criminals pretending to be gangsters. This underscores that while non-local criminal networks are significant, local crime remains a major component of Punjab’s law-and-order issues.
Punjab Police have responded by establishing the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), employing both intelligence-based operations and legal strategies to counter these networks. They are increasingly using technical intelligence, encrypted app monitoring, and cross-state coordination to trace and apprehend criminals. Recent initiatives include helplines for anonymous citizen reporting and aggressive raids on gang hideouts, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities are treating organized crime in the state.
In conclusion, Punjab faces a complex criminal landscape involving both local and non-local actors. Transnational and inter-state crime networks carry out extortion, violent crimes, and even terror-linked activities, often relying on local operatives for execution. While the Punjab Police have intensified enforcement and legal measures, the scale and sophistication of these criminal networks pose an ongoing challenge to law and order.