12022026-ATR-01.qxd 2/12/2026 12:04 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 23°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 8°C STUDENTS URGED TO BECOME JOB CREATORS, NOT SEEKERS CHARU SURI’S ALBUM SHAYAN ASKS LISTENERS TO SLOW DOWN ACTOR SHAHID KAPOOR CONFIRMS FARZI SEASON 2 A seminar "Punjab 2047: Forging the Future through Entrepreneurship and Innovation" got underway at GNDU. P2 Shayan,Indo-Americanpianist&composer’s firstnon-jazzalbum,isameditative,deeply intentionalrecordrootedinIndianragas.P4 The actor made the announcement on Tuesday through his social media handle, sending fans into a frenzy. P4 » » » SUNSET THURSDAY 6.14 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 7.14 AM THURSDAY | 12 FEBRUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Khalra police, BSF seize 1 kg heroin Arms smuggling module busted, two nabbed with five pistols Our Correspondent Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, February 11 The Khalra police and the BSF in a joint search operation recovered 1 kg heroin from the fields of a farmer, Gurlal Singh, of Wan Tara Singh village here on Tuesday night. Amritsar, February 11 The city police on Wednesday busted an arms trafficking module with the arrest of two accused and recovery of five sophisticated pistols here. The arrested accused have been identified as Rohit Arora (25), a resident of Gilwali Gate here, and Harpreet Singh, alias Happy (24), a resident of Meerakot Kalan village. The police recovered three 9mm Glock pistols and two .30 bore pistols from their possession. DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers through social media platforms. Illegal consignments of arms were allegedly sent via drones from across the border, and the accused further supplied these weapons on the directions of their handlers. He said that further investigations are underway to establish both forward and backward linkages of the illegal arms network and identify other associates involved in the racket. Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (CP) It was recovered from fields of a farmer of Wan Tara Singh village The joint raiding team was led by Sub-Inspector (SI) Gursahib Singh. The SI said that the information to this effect was received officially, which revealed that the location where the consignment was dropped by a drone. The police have registered a case under Sections 21-C, 61 and 85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Sections 25, 26 and 29 of the BVA, 2024. Pak-backed terror plot foiled, 1 arrested with IED, pistol Tribune News Service Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar briefs mediapersons on the module in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said police teams acted on specific and reliable intelligence inputs and conducted a well-planned operation leading to the arrest of Rohit Arora, who is stated to be an associate of gangster Sonu Kangla. During his search, three pistols, including one Glock and two .30 bore weapons, were recovered. On the basis of Rohit’s statement, the police arrested Harpreet Singh and recovered two additional Glock pistols from his possession. The Commissioner of Police said both accused are habitual offenders with previous cases registered against them under the Arms Act, NDPS Act and Prisons Act and for snatching at gunpoint. They were allegedly involved in narco-arms smuggling to make easy money. An FIR has been registered against them under Sections 25, 6, 7 and 8 of the Arms Act at the Gate Hakima police station. Amritsar, February 11 In a major intelligence-led operation, the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) has busted another Pakistanbacked terror module and foiled a planned terror attack with the arrest of one accused and recovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a foreign-made pistol, stated Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday. The arrested accused has been identified as Shubham Kumar, alias Shubham Srivastav, a resident of Sarosa village in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh. As per the DGP the IED, , packed in a metallic case and fitted with a remote control, was intended for targeted attacks in multiple states, including Punjab and Delhi. The police have also recovered a foreign-made pistol along with ammunition from his possession. The development comes a day after Punjab Police busted another Pakistan’s ISI- The explosive, pistol and cartridges seized by the State Special Operations Cell in Amritsar on Wednesday. backed terror module with the arrest of Rahul Kumar, alias Gaju, of Amritsar and recovery of an RDX-based IED. DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested accused was in contact with a Pakistan-based handler through encrypted com- munication platforms. The terror consignment was allegedly pushed from across the border and retrieved from a designated location on the outskirts of Amritsar, he said. “The IED was meant for carrying out targeted attacks in multiple states. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the entire terror network and identify all those involved,” said the DGP . Sharing operational details, AIG, SSOC, Amritsar, Sukhminder Singh Mann said police teams had received specific intelligence inputs about a dronedropped consignment containing explosives and weapons sent by Pakistanbased operatives. Acting swiftly, special teams were formed, leading to the arrest of the accused near an abandoned area close to Dargarh on the Amritsar-Jalandhar GT Road, he added. The AIG added that the accused is believed to be highly radicalised and had come from Uttar Pradesh to Amritsar after being promised a lucrative amount by his handler. An FIR in this regard has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act and the Indian Arms Act at the SSOC police station here. Tribune News Service Surinder Singh takes charges as ADC (RD) Tarn Taran Street vendors hold protest over anti-encroachment campaign Our Correspondent Teachers protest mandatory TETfor promotion Tarn Taran, February 11 The use of force against street vendors proved futile as they resumed their protest against the administration’s decision to remove alleged illegal encroachments from the roads. The vendors demanded an immediate end to what they described as harassment in the name of clearing encroachments. The drive to remove the alleged illegal encroachments was jointly carried out by officials of the Municipal Council and the Traffic Police. During the operation, vegetables and other goods belonging to several street vendors were scattered, prompting them to stage a protest on the road. Addressing the agitating vendors, Gurinder Singh Ladi, president of the Shopkeepers’ Union, condemned the action of the Traffic Police and the Municipal Council. He demanded compensation Amritsar, February 11 Teachers across Punjab are facing a new hurdle after the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) was made mandatory for promotions following Supreme Court directions issued last September. Acting on these directions, the Punjab Education Department has barred teachers who have not qualified the TET from being promoted to higher posts. The move has triggered protests among teachers’ organisations. A demonstration was held at the District Administrative Complex here on Wednesday. All major teachers’ bodies in the state have opposed the mandate, calling it an “imposition” and unfair to those recruited before 2011. During protests held in the city, demonstrators raised anti-government slogans and burnt effigies. “Imposing the condition of passing the TET on teachers who have served for 20-25 years is illogical. They joined service after fulfilling the recruitment rules and conditions applicable at that time. Introducing new rules after such a long period is against the principles of natural justice,” said Ashwani Awasthi, district head of the Democratic Teachers’ Front. Sucha Singh Tarpai said both the Centre and the state government appear to be in a hurry to implement the test by citing the Supreme Court One nabbed with 102 gms of heroin World Punjabi Meet NCC cadet Kavish Razdan brings laurels to city to begin on Feb 20 Our Correspondent Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, February 6 A team of the Sarai Amanat Khan police, led by ASI Nirmal Singh, on Wednesday arrested a man with 102 grams of heroin. The suspect was identified as Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Cheema Khurd village here. The ASI said the accused was roaming in the area in a suspicious manner. When frisked, the police recovered 102 grams of heroin from him. A case under Sections 21-B, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. The accused was produced before a court here today. He was sent to police custody for two days. Amritsar, February 11 A three-day World Punjabi Conference will be held at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) from February 20 to 22. Sharing details, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Karamjit Singh, who recently announced the integration of the Punjabi language, literature and culture with modern technologies into the university’s curriculum, said the conference will bring together scholars, eminent writers and leading thinkers of the Punjabi language at the university. Dr Manjinder Singh, Head of the School of Punjabi Studies, said the main theme of the conference is “Role of Teachers raise slogans against the government during a protest in Amritsar on Wednesday. decision. He demanded that the Punjab Government should not rush the process and instead safeguard the interests of teachers. “We plan to hold mass protests from February 22, with teachers from across Punjab marching to Anandpur Sahib,” he said. During the protest, teachers burnt copies of the letter issued by the Education Department on February 7, 2026, which made TET qualification mandatory for promotions to the Master Cadre. In its justification, the department had earlier stated that the Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test (PSTET) had been conducted multiple times since last year — on November 12, 2025, December 24, 2025, and January 4 and 5, 2026 — providing several opportunities for teachers to qualify. Tarn Taran, February 11 PCS officer Surinder Singh on Wednesday assumed charge as Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development), Tarn Taran. After taking charge, he said that various welfare schemes being run by the Centre and the state government for the overall development of rural areas in the district and for raising the standard of living of the people, would be implemented effectively. He said special priority would be given to implementing comprehensive village development programmes formulated by the Punjab Government from time to time at the grassroots level and ensuring that benefits reach the people. Our Correspondent Tribune News Service Artificial Intelligence in the Field of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat”. Among the prominent speakers are K B S Sidhu (former Chief Secretary, Punjab), Tarlochan Singh (former MP), Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh, Sant Baba Mahendra Singh UK Wale (Head, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha), Sardara Singh Johal (Padma Bhushan awardee), Surinderpal Singh Ubrai (renowned social worker), Charanjit Singh Bath (businessman and social activist) and eminent scientist Kanwarpal Singh Suri. Over the three-day period, the event will feature scientific sessions, panel discussions and special lectures. Amritsar, February 11 Cadet Kavish Razdan, a Grade IX student of Bhavans SL Public School, Amritsar, and an NCC cadet of the 24 Punjab Battalion, has etched his name in history by becoming the only Junior Officer from Amritsar selected to march in the Prime Minister’s Rally held after the Republic Day parade this year at the Cariappa Parade Ground, New Delhi. This rare honour is reserved for a select group of the finest NCC cadets from across India, and Kavish stood out as the sole representative from the region. According to his teachers, Kavish’s success is the result of exceptional discipline, perseverance and commitment to the National Cadet Corps c m y b Cadet Kavish Razdan being felicitated during an event in Delhi. (NCC). His inspiring journey spanned eight months, from June 4, 2025, to February 5, 2026, during which he participated in 13 intensive NCC camps. He excelled in best cadet competitions, drill train- ing and cultural events, consistently demonstrating leadership and dedication. He was adjudged Best Cadet in the Inter-Group Competition (TAP-3) and received a cash award of Rs 10,000 along with a Street vendors during a protest against the administration in Tarn Taran. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI. for the losses suffered by the vendors during the drive. The protesters were later pacified by SHO Navdeep Bhatti and AAP leader and former Municipal Council president Bhupinder Singh Khera. However, soon after the commendation from the Additional Director General of NCC and the Governor of Punjab. Kavish has also been honoured by the Director of Higher Education, the Director General of NCC, the Chief of Army Staff, the Air Chief Marshal, the Naval Chief, the VicePresident of India and the President of India during the course of his NCC training. Based on his NCC ‘C’ certificate, Kavish is eligible for direct entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and has been awarded a scholarship at AFPI, Mohali. For his exemplary service, he has been promoted to the rank of Senior Under Officer (SUO). In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he will soon be formally honoured by Group Commander Brigadier Kuldeep Singh at the Amritsar administration’s action, the street vendors returned and set up their stalls again at their respective spots. Union president Gurinder Singh Ladi urged the administration to allocate permanent spaces for street vendors in the city. Group Headquarters. “His remarkable achievement has brought immense pride not only to Amritsar but also to Bhavans at the national level,” said Dr Anita Bhalla, Director, Bhavans SL School. Kavish credited the NCC unit for playing a pivotal role in his success by providing continuous guidance, rigorous training, leadership development and instilling a strong spirit of patriotism. Principal Sonia Sehdev said Kavish’s achievement is a moment of immense pride for the institution and a source of inspiration for students across the region. “At a time when concerns are rising over the increasing impact of screens and social media on students’ mental and physical health, Kavish stands as an example,” she said.