UT police's crackdown on armed crime: 463 held with 196 pistols, 392 knives since 2022

Time of India

09-07-2025

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Chandigarh: Once celebrated for its serene boulevards and lush greenery, Chandigarh now finds itself grappling with a chilling transformation. Beneath the surface of its peaceful reputation, a surge in armed crime is shaking the city's foundations — and the numbers paint a grim picture.
Between Jan 2022 and May 2025, the city's 16 police stations, crime branch units, and operation cells have been locked in a relentless battle against a growing tide of violence.
In total, 463 individuals have been arrested under the Arms Act, including 24 operatives linked to notorious gangs such as Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar's syndicate and the Bambiha gang. The haul? A staggering 196 country-made and sophisticated firearms, 647 live cartridges, and 392 long-handled knives — all recovered from the possession of the anti-social elements.
The trend is not just alarming — it's escalating. Arrests under the Arms Act rose from 110 in 2022 to 126 in 2023, and 157 in 2024. In just the first five months of 2025, 70 individuals have already been apprehended with weapons.
Street brawls have turned bloody, with dozens of stabbing incidents reported annually. In response, the police have intensified late-night patrols and nakas, intercepting hundreds of suspects armed with knives.
One of the most chilling incidents unfolded last year, when the district crime cell, in a joint operation with Punjab Police, nabbed six gang members in Gorakhpur, UP, recovering four pistols and 51 bullets. The accused had allegedly fired shots at a businessman's residence in a VVIP area, demanding Rs 2 crore in extortion — a move orchestrated by gangster Goldy Brar.
Another dramatic bust saw three shooters from Lawrence Bishnoi's gang arrested with three pistols and seven bullets, allegedly plotting to assassinate rival gangster Bhupi Rana inside a courtroom, disguised as lawyers.
In Dadumajra, three men were caught with two pistols and five cartridges, accused of attempting a hit on a local resident under orders from Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence's cousin, operating from the US.
Despite the grim statistics, there is a silver lining. SSP Kanwardeep Kaur emphasized that constant surveillance and swift action have thwarted multiple assassination plots and gang wars. "Our teams have been vigilant, and their timely interventions have saved lives and preserved peace," she said.