29092025-ATR-01.qxd 9/28/2025 11:13 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 36°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 24°C MILK, SWEETS UNDER SCANNER AS FESTIVALS APPROACH KATHAK & SUFI MYSTICISM UNITE AT MAJHA HOUSE FARHAN SHARES LOVE FOR THE SMASHING MACHINE Food Safety Wing of the Health Department collected 37 food samples over the past week. P2 Majha House hosted a special evening with author and world-renowned dancer Aastha Dixit in Amritsar. P2 Sharing the trailer on his social media account, Farhan’s excitement has sparked many reactions online. P4 » » » SUNSET MONDAY 6.10 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:15 AM MONDAY | 29 SEPTEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Police bust BKI module, four arrested; operative injured Poor lifting of waste turns roads into dumping sites Accused involved in firing at clinic, school in Tarn Taran Tribune News Service Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 The Amritsar police have busted a terror-gangster network and arrested four alleged operatives of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module who were also involved in extortion, firing instances and writing pro-Khalistan graffiti in different parts of the city in the recent past. The module was busted after two of the operatives — Gurwinder Singh of Khemkaran in Tarn Taran and Vishal of Nanaksar Mohalla (Tarn Taran) — were nabbed from near the new Vigilance office located on Airport road in the wee hours of Sunday in an encounter. Gurwinder was injured during a brief exchange of fire when the police team signalled them to stop at the check-point. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the arrested accused were working under the instructions of BKI operative Shamsher Shera, based in Armenia, foreign-based gangster Prabh Dasuwal and Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and other officers at the encounter site in Amritsar on Sunday. VISHAL KUMAR Pakistan-based handler Afridi Toot. Earlier, they were involved in firing at a doctor’s clinic and at a school in Tarn Taran, besides painting pro-Khalistan slogans on walls and even a train coach in Amritsar. “These arrests have not only solved the graffiti case but also helped us crack a series of extortion and firing incidents. The accused were attempting to create panic in the region at the behest of foreign handlers,” said Bhullar. Sharing details, the Police Commissioner said the investigation began after designated terrorist and banned organisation Sikh for Justice (SFJ) head Gurpatwant Singh Pannu released a video recently claiming responsibility for the graffiti. Police recovered a .30 bore pistol, a can of spray paint and a motorcycle from Gurwinder and Vishal of Mohalla Nanaksar in Tarn Taran. Their interrogation led to the arrest of two others — Vishal Stubble usage alias Keedi of Bhikhwind and Jobandeep Sharma of Khemkaran. Police revealed that Harman and Keedi executed the graffiti act, Vishal of Nanaksar Mohalla provided logistics and safe hideouts, while Jobandeep received token money in his bank account for the act. “This is not the handiwork of isolated individuals but part of an organised nexus of gangsters and terror elements. Our teams are determined to dismantle it completely,” said the Police Commissioner while adding that the Tarn Taran police was also holding a probe along with the city police. All four accused have a criminal history, including cases of attempt to murder and extortion. Their past record links them to multiple violent incidents across Tarn Taran and Amritsar. Police said further probe is underway to identify other members of the network. “We are pursuing every lead to ensure such disruptive modules are neutralised at the earliest,” Bhullar added. Manmeet Singh Gill Amritsar, September 28 Irregular lifting of garbage from several localities in the city has left residents distressed, forcing them to discard household waste on roadsides. The problem has taken a serious turn near the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Hospital, where a large heap of garbage has accumulated over the past few days. Passersby complain of foul smell and the risk of diseases spreading in the area. The stretch near the hospital, which is frequented by patients and their attendants, has virtually turned into a dumping ground. Local residents say that they have repeatedly requested the authorities to clear the site, but garbage continues to pile up. Similar heaps can be spotted in several other parts of the city, painting a grim picture of waste management. Residents from many localities on Majitha road and Batala road complained that garbage collection vehicles seldom visit their areas. "Earlier, the waste was lifted almost daily. Now, it is left unattended for days together. With stray cattle and dogs scattering the garbage, it Tribune News Service A garbage dump near ESI Hospital on Majitha road in Amritsar on Sunday. Residents fear poor waste management might lead to disease outbreak. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR becomes impossible to walk on the streets," said Sunita Sharma, a homemaker from the Majitha Road area. Shopkeepers near these heaps also complain of dwindling footfall. "Customers avoid stopping at our shops because of the stink. Our business has been badly hit," said Rakesh Kumar, a shop owner near the ESI Hospital. In the absence of regular lifting of waste from homes, the residents are throwing these in heaps on roadsides. "We cannot keep waste at home for long as it starts rotting. The MC must ensure regular collection of waste from residential areas," said another resident, Balram Yadav. Another such heap of garbage can be spotted near Government Dental College. The residents stated that garbage lying on the roadsides is not only an eyesore but also causes hurdles in the smooth flow of traffic. "Cleanliness is not just a civic issue. It's a health issue and the authorities must act before the situation worsens," said another resident. 4 kg of heroin seized, two arrested Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 In a major blow to crossborder drug syndicates, the Counter Intelligence wing of Punjab Police arrested two alleged cross-border drug smugglers and recovered 4 kg of heroin from their possession. The consignment had been dropped by a drone on the directions of Pakistanbased handler Rana King, said the police authorities. Those arrested have been identified as Akashdeep Singh alias Tony of Attari and Pawanbir Singh of Basarke Bhaini, here. Police also seized their Hero Splendor motorcycle that was being used to ferry the contraband. DGP Punjab, Gaurav , Yadav described the arrests as a “significant breakthrough” in the state’s fight against narco-terrorism. “These men were operating on the direct instructions of their handler in Drones, heroin seized by BSF troops in border villages Pakistan. Such modules are the backbone of the drug supply chain that poisons our youth. We are determined to dismantle every link,” Yadav said. According to police, the Counter Intelligence wing in Amritsar had received inputs about the movement of a narcotics consignment. A trap was laid on Chheharta-San Sahib Road near Mannu Hospital, where the two suspects were intercepted while going to deliver the consignment. Officials said that investigators are now working to trace both forward and backward linkages of the network. “We suspect a wider racket involving local receivers and cross-border facilitators. More arrests and recoveries are imminent,” a senior Counter Intelligence wing official said. A case under Sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act was registered in this regard at the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar. Amritsar, September 28 In a series of successful operations over the past two days, Border Security Force (BSF) troops thwarted multiple cross-border smuggling attempts, seizing heroin and drones along the Punjab border. On Saturday, BSF troops seized two packets of heroin in separate incidents. One packet weighing 435 grams was recovered from the fields near village Dhariwal in Amritsar district, while another packet weighing 547 grams was found in a farmland near village Naushera Dhalla of Cross-border smuggling attempts were foiled by troops of the paramilitary force Tarn Taran district. Continuing their vigil, BSF personnel on Sunday recovered two drones and another packet of heroin. Acting on a tip-off, the troops seized a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone near village Naushera Dhalla in Tarn Taran. In another operation, alert troops recovered a second DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone along with 558 grams of heroin from a field ahead of the border fence near village Dhanoe Kalan in Amritsar. In another seizure on Sunday, the BSF in a joint operation with Narcotics Control Bureau arrested a smuggler and seized two packets of contraband. The packets contained around 810gm of heroin. “Based on credible inputs by NCB, BSF along with the central agency conducted a joint search in a suspected house in Lopoke subdivision leading to the seizure of narcotics and arrest of the smuggler,” said BSF spokesman. The spokesman said he was handed over to NCB for further probe. Bajwa takes up Punjab’s case at TEDx meet Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Labourers load bundles of crop stubble on a tractor on the outskirts of Amritsar on Sunday. Farmers have been urged not to burn crop stubble and utilise them instead. VISHAL KUMAR Youth held on charge of sexually harassing minor at Gadali village Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 Jandiala police have arrested a youth, identified as Vishal Singh alias Madho, a resident of Gadali village for allegedly sexually harassing an 11-year-old girl. The girl along with her grandfather was alone when the incident took place. Her parents had gone to pay obei- sance at a shrine at Nawan Pind while her elder brother was also away. The incident came to light when her mother lodged a complaint with the Jandiala police in this regard. She alleged that the accused Vishal Singh allegedly entered the house silently. Her grandfather who could not see properly was in a separate room. The accused lured the victim after offering Rs 10 for procuring some sweets and started touching her inappropriately. She raised an alarm following which her grandfather woke up and came outside the room and the accused fled. The police said the accused was arrested and further probe was on in the matter. Pathankot, September 28 Ministers of several foreign countries and a Member of Parliament (MP) of the European Union (EU) were unanimous in their opinion that peace and harmony should return to this war-ravaged world as it is a fundamental requirement for prosperity and overall development. Despite the fact that highranking ministers of countries like Sweden, Tunisia, Austria, Estonia and Finland, along with representatives of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Organisation (UNO) were invited, the honour to open the proceedings went to Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa. In his address, Bajwa said, “At a time when the world speaks of connectivity, free trade corridors and global supply chains, Punjab cannot be left behind. It should c m y b Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa with Paulina Brandberg, Equality Minister, Sweden. become the gateway between India and Europe. Centuries ago, our caravans and horse carts carried our goods to European capitals, so why should Punjab remain locked behind barbed wires with highways and digital technology at our command.” Radha Adhar, Special Assistant to the ex-President of the US, Joe Biden, too was present. Paulina Brandberg, Equality Minister of Sweden, too dwelt on how important it was to live in a peaceful world. The event was part of a cultural exchange programme called the TEDx initiative. Srijal Gupta, the owner of a local school, was the con- venor of the event. Patrice Fuare, chief of staff to the French President and Jean Baptiste Djebbari, former Transport Minister of France, could not make it due to their preoccupation with last-minute assignments in their country. However, a video message from both of them was displayed on the screen. The main mission was to share innovative ideas from diverse sources. A notable feature is that a TEDx event cannot be used to raise money, not even for a charity. With so many high-profile dignitaries in the city, the Pathankot police had enhanced security arrangements and checking was conducted on all important roads leading to the city. In February, the PM of Malta, John Muscat, and the ex-foreign minister of Israel, Eliezer Sandberg, were special invitees.