Punjab Police Deploys AI System to Crack Down on Gangster Networks

In a significant technological push under its ongoing campaign against organized crime, Punjab Police has adopted an advanced Artificial Intelligence-based system to strengthen its action against gangster networks. The Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS) has equipped the force with a modern voice recognition mechanism, enhancing its ability to track criminals and their associates, including those operating from abroad. The newly developed AI-driven voice recognition system includes a “voice bank” containing more than 84,000 voice samples of criminals and suspects. This database enables law enforcement agencies to quickly identify individuals involved in illegal activities, even when they attempt to conceal their identity through remote communication. Beyond voice recognition, the system integrates a comprehensive database of over 390,000 criminals. This database includes detailed information about gang affiliations and offers features such as phonetic search. A key component of the system is its advanced “gang tree search” tool, which visually maps the entire structure of organized crime networks. This allows investigators to trace links from local criminal activities to their international masterminds. Officials noted that nearly 60 high-risk gangsters linked to Punjab are currently operating from countries such as Canada, the United States, and Italy. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly dealing with a new trend of “remote-controlled” extortion, where threats are issued through encrypted applications and international virtual numbers. The introduction of PAIS has provided Punjab Police with a technologically advanced edge in its ‘War on Gangsters’ campaign, enabling smarter and data-driven policing. The campaign, launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has already made progress in improving law and order and is now expected to further reinforce a zero-tolerance policy against organized crime. ADGP of the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Promod Ban, said that for years, gangsters based overseas have misused technology to run extortion rackets from safe locations. He stated that the AI system has significantly enhanced the force’s operational capabilities. “AI-based voice matching allows us to identify callers within minutes, enabling swift and accurate action,” he said. The system also helps authorities prevent crimes before they occur. In recent operations, police successfully foiled targeted killing plots by tracking digital communications between foreign handlers and local operatives. Highlighting the shift in policing strategy, Ban said that earlier investigations focused on individual incidents, but PAIS now enables authorities to monitor entire networks. “We can identify who is funding, who is supporting, and who is executing criminal activities. This intelligence-led approach helps us dismantle entire networks rather than just arresting individuals,” he added. The AI system has also strengthened the capabilities of the Anti-Gangster Task Force to eliminate organized crime networks more effectively. Additionally, specialized fugitive tracking cells are using PAIS to collaborate with international agencies such as Interpol, accelerating the identification and extradition of criminals hiding abroad. Ban further emphasized that the upgraded fugitive tracking units now operate with real-time intelligence, improving coordination with global agencies and enhancing the ability to bring offenders back to face the law. He described the initiative as a major step toward predictive policing, where authorities can identify threats, monitor communications, and act before crimes are committed. “The message is clear—no matter where criminals are hiding, they will be tracked and brought to justice,” he said.