Four Bishnoi gang operatives arrested in a dramatic encounter on the Dera Bassi–Ambala highway, marking a major success for the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and SAS Nagar Police. Officers launched the operation after receiving intelligence about armed members of the Lawrence Bishnoi network hiding in a house along the highway. When the team moved in, the suspects opened fire, forcing officers to retaliate.
Police overpowered the men quickly and recovered seven .32 calibre pistols and 70 live cartridges. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the operatives worked for foreign-based gangster Goldy Dhillon and planned targeted strikes in the Tricity and Patiala region. He added that the force will continue to strike at the core of organised crime in the state.
The encounter site, located near Steel Strips Towers, remained sealed as police teams scanned the area for more evidence. Investigators are analysing digital devices, call records and movement trails to trace the chain of command behind the planned attacks. Officers also questioned locals to gather further leads about the gang’s activities in the region.
Meanwhile, Punjab’s border security remained tight as BSF personnel recovered three drones and a heroin packet in separate operations. Troops tracked drone movement near Kamal Wala village in Ferozepur and recovered a DJI Mavic 3 drone and 557 grams of heroin from agricultural fields. Later, teams located another DJI Mavic 3 Classic and a DJI Air 3S during two intelligence-led operations near Tarn Taran.
These back-to-back recoveries underline the BSF’s vigilance, technical expertise and quick response against cross-border smuggling networks. Officials said that smugglers constantly attempt to push contraband into Punjab, but coordinated efforts between BSF and state police continue to disrupt their operations. Security agencies have increased night surveillance, drone tracking and ground patrols across border belts to prevent infiltration attempts.
