08052025-LT-01.qxd 5/7/2025 10:35 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune MOCK DRILL AT MILK PLANT WITH AIR ATTACK SCENARIO MALAUDH: FROM WALLED STATE TO NAGAR PANCHAYAT CELEBS HAIL OP SINDOOR, COURAGE OF ARMED FORCES Creating a possible scenario of an air strike, the Ludhiana administration carried out a mock drill. P2 Once a walled fortress of Cis-Sutlej Phulkian, the princely state is presently governed by a Nagar Panchayat . P3 Operation Sindoor was the answer we needed — not out of hate, but to protect peace and dignity. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 21°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.10 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:35 AM » THURSDAY | 8 MAY 2025 | LUDHIANA Residents welcome Operation Sindoor, say revenge taken DON’T SPREAD FAKE NEWS Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 7 To express solidarity and satisfaction over the “revenge” taken by the defence forces for the Pahalgam attack on April 22, people belonging to different sections of society have thanked the forces. The residents said that the strikes brought out their nationalistic sentiments and they remained awake throughout the night, watching news channels for the latest updates. Shahi Imam, Punjab, Mohammad Usman Ludhianvi said that the entire country was waiting for the action by the Indian forces. “I appreciate the action taken by the Air Force and at the same time, I appeal to the ❝ I appreciate the action taken by the Indian Air Force and at the same time, I appeal to the masses not to spread fake and false news on social media platforms. Besides, the way the Pahalgam attack took place all of a sudden, Indian armed forces have attacked the terror camps in the same manner. ❞ —Mohammad Usman Ludhianvi, SHAHI IMAM, PUNJAB masses not to spread fake and false news on social media platforms. Besides, the way the Pahalgam attack took place all of a sudden, Indian armed forces have attacked the terror camps in the same manner,” the Shahi Imam said. The president of the district unit of BJP Rajnish , Dhiman, said that it was a clear message to Pakistan and terrorists that terrorism of any kind would be dealt with sternly by India. “We are waiting and watching everything as the situation is still tense, but we thank our forces to have conducted the operation so well, where no civilian was targeted and only terrorists were killed. 140 crore of Indian population was waiting for this act of bravery by the Indian forces,” said Dhiman. Gaurav, a resident of Civil Lines, said that he was awake till 1.30 am. “One of my friends is in Pakistan and he told me that India had attacked Pakistan, which was unbelievable as all were waiting for the regular mock drill to take place today (May 7). We immediately switched on the television and all channels were flashing the news that Indian missiles had attacked the terrorist camps at nine places in Pakistan. Since then, the phones are continuously ringing and the entire family was awake. This is actually what we Indians wanted. We are thankful to our forces for being so accurate as only terrorists have been targeted in these attacks,” he said. No communal hatred during war times, recollect elderly living near Halwara Mahesh Sharma Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 7 Emotional stress, fear, anticipation and sense of national unity dominated the memories about the Indo-Pak wars of some elderly persons from this region situated in the proximity of a strategic installation of India, the Air Force station, Halwara. Irrespective of their caste and community, these persons who had the seen the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971 experienced a range of emotions when they got to know about the nationwide civil defence mock drill scheduled to be held at 259 places in India on Wednesday, including Halwara village. Octogenarian Rameshwar Dass recollects occasional hearing of air raid sirens and precautionary announcements broadcasted through public announcement systems installed at religious places of his native village Jandali Khurad about probable air attacks by the enemy fighter planes. “Though nothing untoward happened in the area during any of the Indo-Pak wars, we used to follow instructions given by our parents from time to time whenever there was an announcement in the village,” said Sharma. Eightyfive-old Sukhdar- Woman held with 120 gm heroin Ludhiana, May 7 After the Indian attack on nine terrorist outfit camps, fearing retaliation from the other side of the border (Pakistan), residents here were seen stocking necessary grocery products for the coming days. Though there is no “panic” buying in the markets, still sales were more than on usual days. Monika, a resident of Dandi Swami, said that as a precaution, she had stocked ration for about a month. “You never know when there is an urgency. We should keep the stocks ready. This time we got more to be on the safe side,” she added. Karan, a college-going student, said that he had specially gone to the Pindi Street to get the medicines for his grandmother and father. “My father’s BP medicine and grandmother’s few medicines for anxiety, sugar, etc. were required, so I bought stocks to last a month. In case of retaliation, we should be having sufficient stock of medicine,” he said. An attendant at a leading grocery shop near Kailash Chowk, Sanjay, said that as compared to other days more rush was witnessed at the shop today. “But there is no panic, residents just want to be on the safe side,” he said. —TNS AAP, SAD candidates cancel meetings as mark of respect Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 7 Paying respect to the Indian defence forces after the success of Operation Sindoor, the candidates of AAP and SAD have decided to cancel all their engagements. In a display of patriotism and unity, Member of Parliament Sanjeev Arora, Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate from the Ludhiana (West) Assembly constituency, described the operation as a fitting tribute to the lives lost in the recent Pahalgam massacre. He lauded the courage and precision of India’s defence personnel. “It is a moment for all Indians to stand as one,” he said, adding that, “We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to our armed forces who have not only responded with strength, but also restored our collective sense of justice and pride.” In his statement here on Wednesday, Arora emphasised that national interest must rise above all political or electoral considerations. In acknowledgment of the country’s solemn mood, Arora announced a complete halt to all ongoing political cam- The hoardings were changed by AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora in honour of the armed forces. paign activities under his leadership in the Ludhiana (West) constituency. “We stand united with the nation and our armed forces,” he stated. “This is not the time for rallies or speeches, but for unity. Every Indian heart beats with the bravery shown in Operation Sindoor. Today, it is our duty to prioritise the country over poll campaigns.” The decision to suspend campaigning comes as the political climate in Punjab and across India reverberates with the news of India’s swift and bold response to cross-border terrorism. Leaders across party lines are being urged to show solidarity with the nation and refrain from politicising national security matters. Voicing similar views SAD candidate Paropkar Singh Ghuman said that the Pahalgam attack was uncalled for and Indian forces have given a much needed befitting reply to terrorism. He said that his programmes were to start from 6 am today, but he did not go anywhere and apologised to the organisers. He said for him nation came first and everything else could wait. He said that many of his relatives had already served in the armed forces. “I salute to the forces. We will follow the instructions of the Indian Government at any cost,” said Ghuman. NRIs call up relatives, ask them to come abroad Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 7 Following reports on Operation Sindoor, residents in this part of Malwa region have started receiving calls from their friends and relatives settled in foreign countries, seeking to reconnect and ensure their (residents’) wellbeing. NRI children and anxious foreign nationals insisted that their parents and kin should come abroad on a brief visitor’s visa. There were still others who asked locals to invite relatives settled in border areas to this region till the fear of war looms large. Venu Gopal Sharma, a resident of local Dehliz Road, said he had received repeated calls from his sister’s family settled in Melbourne, asking him to plan a visit to her place. “My sister Jasmine and her husband Uttam were so panicked that they insisted that I should get my daughter’s passport prepared immediately so that they could apply for Drive against illegal sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes near schools Built on panchayat land, house of drug peddlers bulldozed Ludhiana, May 7 In an effort to ensure safety and security, the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, Swapan Sharma, carried a comprehensive drive targeting tobacco sellers on May 6. This initiative was executed with precision to safeguard the well-being of school going children, their parents and general public. The drive, conducted between 3 pm and 5 pm, focussed on heavy-traffic areas on Malhar road near Government College, Ludhiana, Ishmeet Singh Chowk near Government School, Model Town Market near GTB College and Hospital and educational institutes, ensuring a strong police presence. Spearheaded by Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, the operation was a collaborative effort with two ADCPs, six ACPs and eight SHOs, along with force from police stations and the field media team. Under this drive in eight highly crowded placed, raided were conducted on 12 shops and hookah, e-cigarettes, pipes, chimneys, packets of flavour had been seized and six FIRs registered against the shop owners. — TNS Our Correspondent Our Correspondent Sukhdarshan Kaur narrates her experiences of the Indo-Pak wars. PHOTO: MAHESH SHARMA shan Kaur narrates her experiences to her daughters-inlaw, besides reminding her sons Jagjit Singh and Kuldeep Singh Jajjie about their role in collecting information about total blackout in their locality. “While I used to get all window panes of our old house blackened to check any emission of light from the house, Jajjie and Kuldeep used to verify if there was complete blackout in the street during nights,” said Kaur. She recollected that her children were trained to prostrate in the open or stand in corners while facing the walls inside rooms whenever an air attack siren was heard. Hari Chand, a retired municipal council employee, affirmed that the administration used to establish a counter for receiving emergency calls on telephone and raise an alarm for the public to follow standard guidelines of the administration. “As the telephone was the only source of fastest transmission of information, we were advised to be vigilant about every ring on the telephone besides, verifying genuineness of the callers through a password code,” said Chand while recollecting that even answering nature’s call was considered gross negligence. Septuagenarian Babu Khan turned emotional, rec- ollecting that communal harmony was best exhibited during war periods when residents, including Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims, used to take shelter in foxholes dug in their compound on hearing the siren, warning of an air attack. “As ours was a joint family and our compounds were very spacious, our parents had dug foxholes to be used for taking shelter in case of an attack threat. Caste, age and gender was no bar or choice for seeking shelter in those safety areas,” said Khan appreciating that nationalistic spirit eclipsed the communal hatred during war time then. All quiet and peace Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 7 The Basti Jodhewal police have arrested a woman smuggler and seized 120 gm heroin from her possession. She had also been declared a proclaimed offender by the court in three drug smuggling cases registered against her in the past. The accused has been identified as Minakshi, a resident of Kakowal road. As per information received, the woman was standing on a plot adjoining her house and was possessing heroin. A police party immediately conducted a raid and nabbed her with the contraband. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the woman. Residents stock up groceries, medicines A view of Gurdwara Hasanpura Wada during blackout by the district administration, Ludhiana, on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN c m y b Raikot, May 7 A house belonging to a notorious family involved in drug peddling and headed by Balwant Singh and Kulvir Kaur of Narangwal Kalan village of Ludhiana district, who are facing six cases, was demolished during a joint operation conducted under the supervision of police personnel led by Ludhiana (Rural) SSP Ankur Gupta and duty magistrate Sandeep Kumar on Wednesday. The police under the supervision of DSP Inderjit Singh Boparai and DSP Varinder Khosa gave the security cover to civil body personnel during the operation in which a bulldozer demolished major parts of the house illegally constructed on panchayat land meant for a village pond. The property was formally handed over to the village panchayat on the spot. The Punjab Government had earlier assured the Punjab and Haryana High Court that due process of law would be followed before initiating coercive steps, including demolition of immovable property, against the accused in drug peddling cases. An the visitor’s visa of the family without delay,” said Sharma. Ram Nath Prashar of Barundi village said his son, settled in Canada, insisted on rescheduling of his and his wife’s air ticket and preponing their proposed visit there so that the family gets together before things worsen as being apprehended. Sandhya Maudgil of Green Avenue said she had received a call from her Norwegian daughter Meenu shortly after she learnt about ‘Operation Sindoor’ and retaliation by Pakistan in the midnight, asking for her well-being. “Though I was supposed to fly to Norway after a couple of days, my daughter insisted that I should leave the town immediately and stay in Delhi till the scheduled time of my flight,” said Maudgil. Deepak Sharda of Lohgarh village claimed to have received calls from his relatives settled in New Zealand and Canada, asking him to bring families of his brother Sham Lal from Amritsar to Lohgarh. The house of the drug smugglers built on panchayat land being demolished at Narangwal Kalan village on Wednesday. assurance had been given in response to a notice received from the court with regard to the matter. Investigation further revealed that a case running in the court of the Collectorcum-District Development Panchayat Officer, Ludhiana, was decided in favour of the panchayat over a month ago and the administration had initiated a process for taking possession of the property in question. The SSP said that Balwant Singh and his wife Kulvir Kaur were facing three cases each and their house had been demolished by the civil administration as it was illegally constructed on panchayat land. Gupta maintained that directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to take stern action against drug peddlers would be followed in letter and spirit in future too.