Chandigarh, July 19 -- Punjab Police on Saturday said it arrested 3,949 persons, including 42 gangsters and their associates, during the 16-day statewide Operation Prahaar-3.0, an intelligence-led drive against organised crime and the drug-gangster nexus.

Announcing the conclusion of the operation, director general of police Gaurav Yadav said police teams carried out 5,448 raids at locations linked to gangsters, their associates, drug smugglers and wanted criminals across all police ranges and commissionerates in the state.

"The operation was conducted in a staggered manner over 16 days, with one police range or commissionerate being covered each day. This systematic approach enabled police to put sustained pressure on criminal networks...