05082026-ATR-01.qxd 8/4/2026 11:27 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 27°C ATTEMPT TO SMUGGLE FOREIGN CURRENCY FOILED BABA BAKALA — A LIVING SYMBOL OF SIKH HERITAGE KABUL TO COPENHAGEN JOURNEY VIA BOLLYWOOD The CISF intercepted a passenger at the Amritsar airport for allegedly trying to carry foreign currency. P2 Baba Bakala is closely linked with both Guru Hargobind and Guru Tegh Bahadur. P3 Bollywood inspired an Afghan refugee to become one of Europe’s celebrated ambassadors of Indian cuisine. P4 » » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 7.24 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5.50 AM WEDNESDAY | 5 AUGUST 2026 | AMRITSAR ISI-backed terror modules busted; four juveniles among 9 arrested At the receiving end Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Transport services in Amritsar remained hit for most part of Tuesday. Later, the Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation staff called off their strike. VISHAL KUMAR Family, coaches’ belief behind Commonwealth silver: Lovepreet NEWSMAKER OF THE WEEK Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 4 Lovepreet Singh, who bagged a silver medal in weightlifting during the Commonwealth Games, credited his coaches, family and the elderly for his success. He said it was their belief that gave him the strength to change every challenge into an opportunity. Lovepreet completed a total of 388 kg for finishing second. Hailing from Bal Sikandar, a village near the International Border, the weightlifter comes from a humble background. His father works as a tailor. Dreaming of making it big Weightlifter Lovepreet Singh arrives in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR since childhood, Lovepreet got inclined towards the sport during his school days. A Navy officer, Lovepreet won the silver medal in the men’s 110+ kg category. Despite a record lift of 388 kg, he was slightly edged by New Zealand’s David Liti, who lifted a total of 389 kg combined in the snatch and clean and jerk categories. He lifted 176 kg (record lift in the games) in snatch and 212 kg in clean and jerk. David Andrew of New Zealand won the gold medal with a lift of 389 kg and England’s Andrew Griffith a bronze medal. He had clinched a silver medal at the 2021 and a bronze medal in 2022. Before making it to the senior team, he had won a bronze medal in the Asian Youth Championship in 2017 and a gold medal in the Commonwealth Youth Games in the 105 kg category. He was accorded a warm welcome upon his return from CWG concluded at Glasgow, Scotland, on August 2, on Tuesday. Earlier in the morning, Lovepreet was attended a felicitation ceremony hosted by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Delhi. Amritsar, August 4 With the arrest of nine persons, including four juveniles, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police claimed to have busted two alleged ISI-backed cross-border terror modules and recovered three illegal pistols, nine live cartridges and four petrol bombs. The police said a probe revealed that members of the modules were allegedly conducting surveillance of security installations, adding that they had installed CCTV cameras near railway tracks, with the footage being shared with foreign-based handlers. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday said preliminary investigation had found out that the accused were allegedly acting at the behest of foreign-based ISI handlers, who were attempting to recruit local youth for terror-related activities, procure illegal weapons, conduct surveillance and disturb public peace. The investigation also brought to light an alleged plan to disrupt law and order during a youth-led agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the alleged paper leak, the police said. According to the police, members of the petrol-bomb module had visited Jantar Mantar with an intention to The police say a probe has revealed that the accused installed CCTV cameras near railway tracks as part of the alleged surveillance network. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR ACCUSED VISITED JANTAR MANTAR TO DISRUPT LAW AND ORDER: COPS n Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday said preliminary investigation had revealed that the accused were allegedly acting at the behest of foreign-based ISI handlers, who were attempting to recruit local youth for terror-related activities, procure illegal weapons, conduct surveillance and disturb public peace. n Police said members of the petrol-bomb module had visited Jantar Mantar with an intention to create a disturbance at the protest site on the directions of their ISI handler and his associates based in Uttar Pradesh. The handlers allegedly arranged petrol and bottles for the accused and instructed them to use the improvised incendiary devices to create panic. create a disturbance at the protest site on the directions of their ISI handler and his associates based in Uttar Pradesh. The handlers allegedly arranged petrol and bottles for the accused and instructed them to use the improvised incendiary devices to create panic. However, the accused allegedly failed to execute the plan and returned without carrying out the intend- ed attack, said Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. Investigating officers have also found that the accused were allegedly receiving online instructions and training on preparing petrol bombs. Those arrested have been identified as Vansh Kumar (19) and Anmol Singh, alias Sahil (20), both residents of Patti in Tarn Taran; Harman Singh, alias Hammu (24) and Man held with intoxicating substance Mushroom cultivation gains popularity; profitable proposition for marginal farmers, believe experts Our Correspondent Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, August 4 The police arrested a resident of Mari Megha with 508 gm of crystal methamphetamine near Kalsian last evening. Officials said the accused, Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, and his accomplice were signalled to stop at a naka but he sped up his motorcycle and tried to flee. Following a chase, the former was arrested while the other person, Goru, a resident of Chela Colony, Bhikhiwind, managed to flee. The police also recovered a mobile phone from the accused. A case under Sections 22-C, 29, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered in this connection. Amritsar, August 4 With mushroom cultivation steadily gaining popularity among farmers as a profitable diversification option, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) here has announced a training programme for the latter. The training aims at equipping farmers, rural youth and women with technical knowledge required to start mushroom cultivation on a commercial or small-scale basis. Experts at the KVK said mushroom farming required comparatively less land and investment, and could provide an additional source of income through the year. Dr Astha, professor, plant LESS INVESTMENT, RICH DIVIDEND n Krishi Vigyan Kendra has announced a training programme for farmers. n It aims at equipping farmers, rural youth and women with technical knowledge required to start mushroom cultivation. n Experts at the KVK said mushroom farming required comparatively less land and investment, and could provide an additional source of income. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra has announced a training module. >> pathology, KVK, said mushroom cultivation had witnessed a rise in the district as more farmers were looking beyond traditional crops. “Mushroom cultivation is an economically viable enterprise that can be adopted by farmers with limited land holdings. It offers quick returns and can be integrated with existing farming systems,” she said. She added that the training would cover selection of mushroom varieties, preparation of compost, spawning techniques, environmental management, disease and pest control, harvesting, grading, storage, and marketing. “Scientific cultivation practices are essential for obtaining higher yields and maintaining the quality of mushroom. Farmers should pay special attention to hygiene, temperature and humidity management to minimise disease incidence,” Dr Astha added. The KVK has invited interested farmers to register for the programme. Participants will also learn about value addition and opportunities for marketing fresh and processed mushrooms. Officials at the KVK said the initiative formed part of its efforts to promote crop diversification and improve farm incomes by introducing sustainable and high value agricultural enterprises. They expressed confidence that the training would encourage more farmers to adopt mushroom cultivation and create additional employment opportunities in rural areas. Fields submerged, Ajnala farmers stare at financial instability Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 4 Poor drainage network has cost farmers of Dujowal and Gillanwali villages in rural Ajnala huge losses. With hundreds of acres still submerged, they fear crop loss and severe financial crisis. The farmers said despite repeated requests, rainwater was not drained out of paddy fields.With the crops remaining submerged for long, the plants had started dying, they added. Harjinder Singh, a farmer said, “Last year, floods destroyed our crops and this year, rain. Even light showers become a cause of our worry.” He added that drains and nullahs must be cleared on a regular basis. Say poor drainage network a bane as authorities fail to act Farmers say despite repeated requests, rainwater was not drained out of paddy fields. VISHAL KUMAR On learning about the plight of the farmers, senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Aujla, visited the affected villages to assess the extent of damage. During his visit, he inspected the waterlogged fields and interacted with the farmers, who demanded immediate government intervention. Addressing the farmers, c m y b Aujla said it was the government’s responsibility to provide timely relief to cultivators affected by natural calamities. He demanded that the administration should conduct a special crop damage survey (girdawari) in the affected villages and release adequate compensation without delay. He also stressed the need for permanent and scientific measures to improve the drainage system in vulnerable areas. Extending support to the farmers, Aujla said the latter’s grievances would be taken up with the state government and the district administration through MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla. He said he would continue to stand with the farming community and raise their issues until affected farmers received compensation, and long-term solutions were implemented to safeguard their crops. Sukhdev Singh (30), residents of Jhanjoti village in Amritsar; and Sukhman Singh (19), a resident of Joth village in Amritsar. Four juveniles have also been apprehended. A stolen motorcycle allegedly used by the accused was also seized. Bhullar said the breakthrough came after the police received specific intelligence and intercepted Vansh Kumar along with a juvenile associate. A .32-bore countrymade pistol and three live cartridges were recovered from their possession. During investigation, the police arrested Anmol Singh, who allegedly supplied the weapon. The probe subsequently revealed that CCTV cameras had been installed near railway tracks as part of the alleged surveillance network. Bhullar said financial transactions related to the installation of the cameras were allegedly made through Paytm by Sukhdev Singh on the directions of Harman Singh, alias Hammu. Both accused were lodged in the Central Jail, Amritsar, and were brought on production warrants before being formally arrested in the case. The main accused, Anmol Singh, along with his associates, who installed CCTV cameras along the railway tracks, has been handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP) for further investigation, the Bhullar said. Harman Singh and Sukhdev Singh are also accused in an Arms Act case registered at the Rajasansi police station, in which four Glock pistols were earlier recovered from them. In a separate operation, the police apprehended two juveniles and recovered a .32-bore continued on page 2 Amid heightened security, 14 red alert checkpoints set up Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 4 In view of heightened security concerns, the Amritsar Rural Police on Monday conducted intensive search at 14 red alert checkpoints set up across the rural belt of the district. The special checking drive was carried out from 2 pm to 4 pm on the directions of Border Range DIG Harmanbir Singh Gill and SSP Amritsar Rural Kanwalpreet Singh. The checkpoints were set up at strategically important locations, including entry and exit points, bridges, bypasses and roads connecting the border areas. Each naka was laid under the supervision of police officers of SP and DSP rank, with police personnel deployed to conduct thorough checking of vehicles and suspicious persons. The police teams also maintained a close watch on vehicles entering and leaving the district. The checkpoints were set up at Pul Drain, Mattewal; Tpoint Rajewala on the New Bypass, Tarn Taran, under the Chattiwind police station jurisdiction; T-point Awan near Ramdas Main Road in Ajnala; Attalgarh under the Gharinda police station jurisdiction; Mour Umranangal under the Beas police station jurisdiction; Pul Nehar at Arjan Manga; T-point Nagiana Sahib near the electricity board office; Adda Kawe under Lopoke police station jurisdiction; Pul Sua Nawa at Fatehgarh on Churian Road under the Jhander CLOSE WATCH AT ENTRY, EXIT POINTS n Each naka was laid under the supervision of police officers of SP and DSP rank, with police personnel deployed to conduct thorough checking of vehicles and suspicious persons. n The special checking drive was carried out from 2 pm to 4 pm on the directions of Border Range DIG Harmanbir Singh Gill and SSP Amritsar Rural Kanwalpreet Singh. The checkpoints were set up at strategically important locations, including entry and exit points. police station jurisdiction; Pul Nehar at Gosal Zimidara; Mour Gunnowal under the Jandiala police station jurisdiction; T-point Hoshiar Nagar under the Gharinda police station jurisdiction; Adda Chappa Ram Singh and Valmiki Chowk in Jandiala. Senior police officials said the deployment aimed at strengthening surveillance and ensuring that suspicious movement was detected promptly. The checking was particularly significant, given the strategic location of the Amritsar rural belt, which includes areas adjoining the International Border and important routes leading towards border villages. Gazetted officers supervising the nakas also interacted with police personnel deployed at the checkpoints and monitored the arrangements. The police said such drives helped maintain law and order and enhance security across the rural belt.