23022026-ATR-01.qxd 2/22/2026 11:25 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C 7,500 TAKE PART IN BSF’S BORDERMEN MARATHON OP PRAHAR SENT MESSAGE, BUT SYSTEMIC CHANGE MUST SUNIDHI CHAUHAN STEALS THE SHOW IN CHANDIGARH The mega sporting event featured three categories — Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K run. P2 Open House: Menace linked to addiction, arms trafficking and easy availability of weapons, say residents. P3 At Omaxe, New Chandigarh, thousands gathered to witness Sunidhi Chauhan's I AM HOME India Tour. P4 » » » SUNSET MONDAY 6.22 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7:06 AM MONDAY | 23 FEBRUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 22 The police dismantled a suspected arms smuggling module operating near the Indo-Pak border and arrested two accused with five sophisticated pistols and live cartridges. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the police arrested the duo — Shera Singh (26) of Bhindi Nain village and Jagroop Singh alias Joopa (21) of Toor village — from near Sada Pind on Amritsar-Attari bypass road. During the search, the police recovered an Austriamade Glock 9mm pistol along with two live cartridges from Jagroop Singh, while a .30 bore PX5 Storm pistol with two live cartridges was seized from Shera Singh. Subsequent interrogation led to the recovery of three additional weapons — two .30 bore pistols (made in China – Norinco) and one countrymade .32 bore pistol — along with more live ammunition. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were allegedly in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR through social media platforms. The arms consignments were reportedly dropped using drones across the border and later collected by the accused, who then supplied them to criminal elements on further instructions, he said. He said the Bhindi Nain and Toor villages were located near the international border with Pakistan. Therefore, the two accused allegedly exploited the terrain and proximity to facilitate the illegal trade. Empty grounds were reportedly used during late-night hours for drone drops to avoid detection. Shera has a criminal history. He was previously booked in a 2017 case involving charges of murder, attempt to murder and rape at Bhindi Saida police station. He was accused of rape and murder of a girl. In another case registered by NCB Amritsar in 2024, approximately 490 grams of heroin was allegedly recovered from his possession under the NDPS Act. Jagroop Singh, a labourer, has no prior criminal record, the police said. Further investigation is underway to trace forward and backward linkages of the network. Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 22 Following the cancellation of a controversial Rs 52.81 crore tender for Ranjit Avenue’s development in January, the Municipal Corporation has begun internal preparations to issue a fresh one. Officials say the process has been expedited, with the new tender likely to be floated next week. Before reissuing it, all technical aspects are under close scrutiny to prevent further controversy. With the project in the spotlight, major firms are reportedly monitoring developments and contractors have started preparing bids. Sources indicate no major changes to the tender FILE Arms smuggling racket busted, 5 pistols seized Tender for Ranjit Avenue Project likely next week amount or core conditions so far, though senior officials in Chandigarh are keeping a close watch due to the prior dispute. The earlier tender faced allegations of irregularities. A three-member committee, formed under the ADC (Development)’s direction, investigated and submitted a report, leading to the suspension of nine officials. Seven later resumed duty after securing a High Court stay on their suspensions. The Rs 52.81 crore project spans 97 acres in Ranjit Avenue Block-C and includes storm sewer lines, rainwater harvesting systems, street lighting, horticulture, civil road works, tiling, parking renovation, and sewerage improvements. The previous tender had been floated with a fivemonth completion period. It remains unclear whether the timeline will be revised; clarity is expected once the fresh tender is uploaded online. Earlier, the Trust had floated a Rs 52.81 crore tender. The financial bids were opened on December 18. One of the firms lodged a complaint with the state government. The matter had also reached the High Court before the tender was ultimately cancelled. Minor girl rescued within 12 hours, youth arrested Amritsar, February 22 Acting promptly on a complaint filed by a local resident, the police recovered a 16year-old girl kidnapped by a 22-year-old youth allegedly on the pretext of marriage. The police said they received a complaint from the victim’s mother yesterday and formed special teams to trace the accused and recover the minor girl. “Within 12 hours of the complaint, the police successfully apprehended the accused, identified as Ujjwal, alias Bobby, a resident of Sadar Bazaar, Cantonment here. The minor girl was safely recovered during the operation,” said ACP Shiv Darshan Singh. — TNS 15 inmates rescued from illegal de-addiction centre, 1 held Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service All shifted to govt facility Amritsar, February 22 The police busted an illegal de-addiction centre operating in the Chheharta area and arrested one accused for allegedly exploiting drug addicts and extorting money from their families. Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said acting on specific intelligence, a police team from Chheharta police station con- ducted a raid at a rented house located at Rose Avenue, Kale Ghanupur, near Chheharta. The premises were being used as an unauthorised drug de-addiction centre. The arrested accused has been identified as Rana Pratap Singh, a resident of New Antaryami Colony located at Sultanwind Road. c m y b He was taken into custody for further probe. Preliminary probe revealed that Rana Pratap Singh, along with his associates — Sarabjit Singh alias Sunny, Harpreet Singh and Dilpreet Singh — had allegedly taken the house on rent and were running the centre without any government permission for nearly two months. Under the pretext of providing deaddiction treatment, they were allegedly admitting vul- nerable youths, intimidating them and extracting hefty sums of money from them and their families, the police commissioner said. During the raid, it was found that the centre had no medical facilities, no qualified doctor and no proper arrangements for patient care. The accused also failed to produce any government authorisation or permit to operate such a facility. On the spot, the police con- tacted the Civil Surgeon, following which doctors and ambulances were arranged. Fifteen persons admitted at the illegal centre were shifted to a government-run de-addiction facility for proper medical care and rehabilitation. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of BNS against them. Police officials stated that efforts are underway to arrest the remaining three accused and further investigation is in progress.