22112025-ATR-01.qxd 11/22/2025 12:19 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY NGOS REVIVE FIVE FLOOD-HIT VILLAGES IN AMRITSAR BSF FOILS MULTIPLE CROSSBORDER SMUGGLING BIDS MISS MEXICO FATIMA BOSCH IS CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE The Young Innovative Farmers Group, has completed wheat sowing in five flood-hit villages in Punjab. P2 The BSF thwarted multiple smuggling attempts along the Punjab frontier, arresting four smugglers. P2 Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday. P4 » » MAX 24°C | MIN 11°C YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 11°C SUNSET SATURDAY 5.28 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 7.05 AM » SATURDAY | 22 NOVEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Abandoned police vehicles on flyovers raise security concern Picture of neglect amid persistent threats of arms smuggling from across border Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Punjab Local Bodies Minister Ravjot Singh (fourth from right) distributes job letters at the municipal corporation office in Amritsar on Friday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Cleanlinesscheckbyminister; gives job letters to MCstaff Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 21 Punjab Local Bodies Minister Dr Ravjot Singh on Friday visited several parts of the city to review cleanliness arrangements and later handed over appointment letters to 60 newly recruited employees of the municipal corporation. The minister arrived in the city in the morning. Accompanied by Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia, MC Commissioner Bikramjit Singh and senior MC officials, Dr Ravjot Singh inspected major markets and key roads to assess sanitation work. The team interacted with officials on the ground and reviewed ongoing cleanliness operations. After the inspection, Dr Ravjot Singh distributed Khadoor Sahib teacher killed by hubby over domestic feud Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, November 21 A domestic dispute between a couple allegedly claimed the life of a woman in Khadoor Sahib on Thursday night. The deceased has been identified as Jaspal Kaur (48). The quarrel took place at night and the accused attacked his wife and brutally murdered her with a sharp-edged weapon. The Goindwal police reached the spot and took the body into their custody. Inspector Kashmir Singh informed the SHO, Goindwal Sahib, about the incident on Friday and an investigation was initiated. The deceased was a teacher of Government Elementary School, Khadoor Sahib. The couple had an 11-year-old son. The police said the accused, Amarjit Singh, used to often quarrel with his wife. Last night, the dispute between the couple escalated to such an extent that Amarjit Singh attacked his wife with a sickle lying in the house as a result of which Jaspal Kaur died on the spot. The SHO said a case under Section 103 of the BNS has been registered against the accused who has been arrested and is being questioned. The body has been sent for a postmortem at the local Civil Hospital. appointment letters to the new recruits at the MC office and extended his best wishes to them. He said the recruitment drive is part of the state government’s ongoing employment mission. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said he was pleased that the municipal corporation has significantly contributed to the Chief Minister’s mission to revive Punjab’s urban infrastructure and create employment opportunities. “These new appointments will not only provide livelihood to the families of the recruits but will also strengthen the MC workforce, especially in sanitation and other civic services,” he said. Commenting on his morning inspection, Dr Singh said the cleanliness situation in the city has improved as com- pared to previous weeks. He assured that gaps in garbage lifting will be addressed soon, adding that Amritsar will be made clean and orderly in the coming days. The minister said the current sanitation issues emerged after the previous contractor, Averda, abruptly stopped work. “We made several attempts to convince the company to continue services, but they were unwilling. As a result, their tender was cancelled and allotted to a new firm,” he explained. He said the newly appointed company has started operations and though some initial shortcomings remain, the government and officials are working closely with them to resolve the issues. “These minor gaps will be fixed soon and the city’s cleanliness system will be fully stabilised,” he added. Amritsar, November 21 Even as the police in the border city always remain on high alert amid persistent threats of arms and explosive smuggling from across the International Border, glaring lapses in ground-level security arrangements have come to light. A visit to several key flyovers, where police vehicles were stationed as part of enhanced surveillance revealed an entirely different picture. Instead of active monitoring or visible police presence, vehicles were found parked without any personnel around. Some of these vehicles appeared to have been abandoned for days, raising concerns about their intended role in enforcing security. These vehicles were stationed following a series of hand grenade attacks on police establishments, including police stations and police posts, in different parts of the city as well as in the border state earlier this year. Hand grenades explosions were witnessed at the Islamabad police station, the Gumtala police chowki (which has now been shifted), the abandoned Fatehgarh Churian road police post and the Gurbaxnagar police chowki. These explosions were carried out at the behest of foreign-based gangsters and terrorists backed by Pakistan’s ISI. The Punjab Police have also made considerable seizures of explosives, including hand grenades, IED and a huge quantity of sophisticated weapons this year. Several parked patrol vehicles were in a state of disrepair — rusted, dusty and with broken lights — while one of the vehicles on the Gumtala flyover had deflated tyres. The condition of these vehicles not only undermines their symbolic purpose as deterrents but also raises questions about the maintenance and utilisation of police resources. The absence of cops from these vehicles also raises a question mark. Residents express worries that such unattended vehicles create a false sense of security. “These vehicles are supposed to be a sign that police are keeping watch. But if no one is there and the vehicles do not even move, what purpose are they serving?” remarked Anil Sharma, a local resident. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), these vehicles were stationed as immediate continued on page 2 Police vehicles lie abandoned on flyovers in Amritsar; and (below) chairs packed inside one such vehicle. PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR 3rd encounter in 2 days; robbery suspect injured Police solve 7-yr-old’s Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 21 In yet another police encounter, a notorious criminal linked to a foreign-based gangster was injured in firing on the Batala road here on Friday. He was being taken to the crime spot by the police for the recovery of a weapon when he opened fire on police personnel. Jaskirat Singh, alias Sahil, along with his accomplice Anmol Buta Singh was arrested by the police on November 19 in connection with a robbery case in which a woman was looted at gunpoint around a week ago. Investigators found that Anmol was riding a motorcycle while Jaskirat, who used a Glock pistol to commit the snatching, was Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar (2nd from left ) along with other officials at the crime spot in the Mohkampura area. riding pillion. This is the third police encounter reported in Amritsar within two days. According to Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Jaskirat sustained a gunshot injury after he allegedly opened fire on a police team during the weapon recovery operation. In self-defence, cops fired at Jaskirat leaving him injured. The police also recovered the Austria-made Glock 9mm pistol used in the crime. “During custodial interrogation, Jaskirat disclosed that he had concealed the weapon and was being taken to the crime spot by the police for recovery. However, at the location, he allegedly grabbed the hidden pistol and fired at the police party, aiming at Inspector Jasjit Singh with intent to kill him,” Bhullar said. In response, Jasjit Singh fired a single shot from his service weapon in self-defence, injuring Jaskirat in the right leg. The accused was immediately shifted to hospital. A fresh FIR under Section 109 (Attempt to murder), BNS Act, and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act was registered at the Mohkampura police station for firing at the police personnel. The police said both accused were already wanted in two previous firing incidents. They had allegedly opened fire outside the Five Star Immigration Visa Consultancy office in Tarn Taran in an extortion-linked case and another outside a house in the Lopoke area. Investigators have further uncovered their links with foreign-based gangster Gurdev Jaisal, reportedly directing them from abroad. The police said investigation is under way to ascertain the duo’s broader criminal network and confirm the role of foreign handlers. murder, juvenile held Amritsar, November 21 With the arrest of a juvenile, the Kathunangal police have cracked a blind murder case in which a seven-year-old boy was found brutally murdered at Babbowal village here on Monday. The victim, Ekampreet Singh, had gone out to play on Monday but did not return and later his body was found at a vacant plot. He had injury marks on his head and face. The incident sent shock waves in the village and initially it was suspected to be a case of occult practices. However, investigation led the police to a teenaged boy. Shamsher Singh, SHO, Police officials brief about cracking the case in Amritsar. Kathunangal, said the police have arrested a 14-year-old boy of the same village for the murder. A quarrel over kite-flying had led to the incident, said the SHO. He said the accused was produced before juvenile court, which sent him to observation home in Ludhiana. — TNS City immersed in faith, Nagar Kirtan leaves for Anandpur Sahib Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 21 Dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh master, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dayala, a Nagar Kirtan, in accordance with the Khalsa traditions, left for Anandpur Sahib from here on Friday. A police contingent presented a guard of honour to the Guru Granth Sahib placed in a beautifully decorated palanquin during the Nagar Kirtan. The Nagar Kirtan, organised by the Punjab Government with the support of Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuri Wale, gurdwara management committees and sangat, started from the Bhuri Wale dera after offering prayers. On the occasion, Sant Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuri Wale, Baba Avtar Singh Sur Singh Wale, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh, DCP Jagjit Singh Walia, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amandeep Kaur, SDM Gursimran Singh Dhillon and Amanpreet Singh along with a large number of Nihang Singhs and religious organisations and sangat were present. In his address, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said the Nagar Kirtan on the way to Anandpur Sahib will halt at various locations, including Tarn Taran. He said under the leadership Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the government is organising various events ded- The Nagar Kirtan being welcomed in Tarn Taran by the sangat while on its way from Amritsar to Anandpur Sahib. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI icated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary with utmost devotion and respect. He said the ninth Sikh Guru c m y b fought for human rights and protected ancient religion of India by sacrificing his life. Guru Tegh Bahadur’ thoughts and his sacrifice always give the message of unity. He said the Punjab Government is organising large-scale events on the land of Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23 to 25. Large-scale events are being organised at Anand- pur Sahib in which saints, Chief Ministers of various states and high-profile personalities will attend the events and to pay homage. He added that a special session of the Vidhan Sabha will also be held on November 24. He appealed to all the devotees to reach Anandpur Sahib along with their families. On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh said the government is organising various events on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary, through which the message of the resolve of Guru Sahib’s martyrdom is being conveyed to the world. He said it was because of the sacrifice made by the ninth Guru that people are enjoying the warmth of freedom today.