13082026-ATR-01.qxd 8/12/2026 10:18 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY AUJLA SEEKS SPECIAL PACKAGE FOR BORDER DISTRICT WATERLOGGING A SERIOUS HEALTH THREAT, SAY RESIDENTS MEET HOLLYWOOD ACTORS WHO HAVE PLAYED SPIDER-MAN MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla has sought a special package for the border district to revive economic activity. P2 Waterlogging not only inconveniences city residents, but also poses a health risk to them. P3 Spider-Man: Brand New Day has crossed a threshold no superhero film has managed before. P4 » » » MAX 34°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.16 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5.54 AM THURSDAY | 13 AUGUST 2026 | AMRITSAR NCB busts drug diversion racket, alarmed over seizure of 18,172 pills Cops got the clue after recovery of intoxicants in June Pawan K Jaiswar FIRST ARREST WAS THAT OF DOC Tribune News Service The Batala police conduct a search on the Municipal Corporation office premises. Threat email targeting Batala Mayor’s office turns out hoax Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Gurdaspur, August 12 After receiving a bomb threat through an email targeting the Batala Mayor’s office, the Gurdaspur police swung into action and launched a cordon and search operation. Officials said the Batala Municipal Corporation office, which houses the Mayor’s chamber, was vacated following the threat. Batala SSP Dr Mehtab Singh said, “Though the Batala administration did not receive any such email, precautionary measures had to be taken, given the mention of the Mayor’s office.” Top cop meets rice millers Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 12 In a move towards strengthening preventive policing and building a direct security interface with the business community, Commissioner of Police Harmanbir Singh Gill today met representatives of the Rice Sheller Association, seeking their cooperation in identifying and reporting suspicious activities. The meeting, attended by DCP (Investigation) Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu and zonal ADCPs, focused on security concerns faced by the business community and the overall law and order situation in the city. The interaction comes as the Commissionerate Police seeks greater public participation in its efforts to prevent crime rather than relying solely on police response after an incident. Gill told the rice millers that maintaining a safe environment for residents as well as the business community was a priority for the police. He urged them to immediately continued on page 2 In the multi-storey DC complex too, dog squads and antisabotage teams were pressed into action, but nothing incriminating was found in the two offices. The DC office is also known as the District Administrative Complex (DAC). It is located in a crowded area of the city. In Batala, AAP MLA Sherry Kalsi was holding a meeting with senior officials when the cops informed him about the threat. The office was vacated immediately. Both Gurdaspur and Batala police personnel stepped up security arrangements in the border towns as the threats came just three days before the Independence Day. Gurdaspur SSP Aditya said the threats were a hoax. A senior official said such emails were sent by foreignbased insurgents just to spread panic. “But we know what they are up to and do not succumb to their antics,” he said. In January, a similar threat was received at the Gurdaspur DC office. Law enforcement and cyber teams are analysing the technical origin of the emails. Intimidating emails targeting educational institutions, religious sites and government establishments in Punjab are typically untraceable continued on page 2 Amritsar, August 12 The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has unearthed an alleged racket involving the diversion of pharmaceutical fentanyl and other NDPScovered drugs into unauthorised channels in rural Punjab, with the investigation leading from a private establishment in Attari to a pharmacist in Moga. The racket came to light during an investigation into the recovery of intoxicant tablets from a private establishment in Attari in early June. The NCB has also arrested a doctor in connection with the case. Acting on self-developed intelligence, the NCB, North Western Region, in coordination with the Drug Inspector, searched Chan Medicos at Attari on June 1 and seized 742 dosage units of NDPScovered pharmaceutical drugs allegedly stocked up without valid authorisation. The establishment was reportedly operating from a clinical set-up where a phar- Ahead of I-Day, cops step up checks, verification across city Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August12 Intensifying security checks, verification of suspicious persons and patrolling ahead of the 80th Independence Day, the police launched a night domination drive in the city late last night. The drive, led by Commissioner of Police Harmanbir Singh Gill, involved deployment of police teams at sensitive locations, major roads, entry and exit points, and other strategic places. Special nakas were set up and vehicles entering and leaving the city were subjected to detailed checking. Gill joined the teams and visited several nakas to review security arrangements and monitor the deployment of police force. He directed officials to remain alert and maintain a high degree of vigilance at night. During the operation, police teams checked suspicious persons and vehicles, verified Commissioner of Police Harmanbir Singh Gill with other officials at a naka in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR NIGHT DOMINATION DRIVE ■ The police launched a night domination drive in the city on Tuesday. ■ The drive, led by Commissioner of Police Harmanbir Singh Gill, involved deployment of police teams at sensitive locations, major roads, entry and exit points, and other strategic places. ■ Special nakas were set up and vehicles entering and leaving the city were subjected to detailed checking. vehicle documents and took legal action against those found violating the law. The exercise aimed at enhancing preventive policing and deterring criminal and anti-social activities during the night. Gill also appreciated police personnel, who displayed alertness, professionalism and commitment while performing their duties during the operation. Some of the personnel were rewarded on the spot for continued on page 2 Akali leader Majithia takes swipe at AAP, says corruption synonymous with party Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 12 Taking a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party, senior Akali leader and former Cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia today alleged that every department of the party reeked of corruption. Addressing the media, he said he had handed a document containing the party’s wrongdoings to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav. Majithia added that the document contained serious allegations like alleged criminal conspiracy, corruption, leak of Senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia addresses the media in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR confidential government information, alleged manipu- lation in transfer and postings of officials, and a bid to influ- ence government policies and tenders. “The police haven’t taken any action on the Chief Minister despite having proof. This shows that police officials are working under some kind of pressure. The law should be equal for all,” he added. Majithia said the aim was not to level allegations, but to have the alleged corruption cases investigated. “If the police fail to act, I do not mind knocking on the court’s door as after going through probe reports, the court will get the actual picture and order a probe into the corruption charges,” he stated. c m y b ■ The racket came to light during an investigation into the recovery of intoxicant tablets from a private establishment in Attari in early June. ■ The NCB has also arrested a doctor in connection with the case. ■ Acting on self-developed intelligence, the NCB, North Western Region, in coordination with the Drug Inspector, searched Chan Medicos at Attari on June 1 and seized 742 dosage units of NDPS-covered pharmaceutical drugs allegedly stocked up without valid authorisation. macist was allegedly posing as a doctor. Examination of records also revealed manipulation and nonmaintenance of mandatory stock registers. The investigation subsequently led the agency to a pharmacist based in Moga, who is allegedly suspected of diverting pharmaceutical NDPS drugs, including fentanyl and ketamine, from legitimate channels to unauthorised outlets. The pharmacist is presently absconding. Follow-up searches at Moga on August 10 and 11 resulted in the seizure of 18,172 dosage units comprising 9,120 tablets, 8,784 ampoules/vials, 168 transdermal patches and 100 suppositories. The seized drugs belonged to 15 different NDPS substances, including fentanyl, ketamine, tramadol, buprenorphine and morphine. The seizure included approximately 7.37 litres of fentanyl. The NCB said the alleged diversion of pharmaceutical fentanyl into unauthorised channels in rural Punjab had not been noticed earlier, making it an emerging area of concern for enforcement agencies. The agency also found that mandatory records related to the storage and distribution of the pharmaceutical NDPS drugs had not been maintained on the Moga premises. The NCB is now probing the wider supply chain to establish how the drugs were procured and diverted from legitimate pharmaceutical channels and identify other persons involved in the alleged racket. Further investigation is underway. The racket was exposed during the investigations into the recovery of intoxicant tablets from a private hospital at Attari in early June this year. 3 suspected drug suppliers in police net Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 12 The Gharinda police have arrested three suspected drug suppliers and seized 2.5 kg of heroin, foiling what the police suspect was a major consignment meant for distribution in the area. The accused have been identified as Sajan Singh, a resident of Manj, Lavjit Singh, a resident of Kacha Bhillowal, and Abhijot Singh, a resident of Hardo Rattan. The arrests were made during patrolling when a police team led by SI Tajinder Singh reached the Attalgarh village turn. According to the police, specific inputs alerted the team that the three suspects were allegedly involved in supplying a large quantity of heroin in the area. The information further indicated that the suspects were travelling on a black Hero Splendor motorcycle bearing registration number PB02-DW-5232 towards the GT Road on the Attari side to deliver the contraband. Acting on the tip-off, the police intercepted the suspects and recovered 2.5 kg of heroin from their possession. The quantity has given the case a wider organised-drug continued on page 2