01022026-LT-01.qxd 2/1/2026 12:38 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune 3-DAY SUFI FESTIVAL IN MALERKOTLA FROM FEB 13 QUALITY EDUCATION CRUCIAL FOR CHANGE IN SOCIETY: BAINS Malerkotla DC Viraj S Tidke chaired a meeting to review preparations for the upcoming festival. P2 Edu Minister Harjot Bains said quality education was sole way to achieve meaningful change in society. P3 » » NEXT FAST & FURIOUS FILM CONFIRMED FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 21°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 20°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.57 PM It is set to release in theatres on March 17, 2028. Vin Diesel plays Dominic Toretto. P4 SUNRISE MONDAY 7:14 AM » SUNDAY | 1 FEBRUARY 2026 | LUDHIANA Political parties stake claim as Halwara airporttonearsmove to boost industry operations Air India gets clearance from IAF begin ops; It wouldn’t have materialised without Centre’s commitment: Bittu Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 31 After years of prolonged delays, the Halwara international airport is finally set to become operational, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to virtually inaugurate the terminal building on February 1. With 2026 being an election year, major political parties have begun staking claim to the project, asserting that the airport has materialised due to efforts of their respective leaders. Whether it is the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state, the BJP-led Central Government or leaders from the Congress, all have highlighted their role in bringing the longpending project to fruition. While the claims are many, the fact remains that the airport is expected to substantially benefit residents and industrialists of Ludhiana. The operationalisation of the airport is expected to significantly enhance regional air connectivity, reduce travel time for passengers and industry and provide a major boost to the state’s industrial, export and investment ecosystem — particularly benefiting the city, Tribune News Service DC Himashu Jain reviews preparations at the Halwara airport ahead of the virtual inauguration of the terminal building by Prime MInister Narendra Modi. one of the North India’s largest manufacturing hubs. According to a press statement issued on Friday, the development is the outcome of sustained and multi-level efforts spearheaded by former Rajya Sabha MP and present Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora, who pursued the matter consistently over the years. The statement noted that the process gathered momentum on November 22, 2022, following the Chief Minister’s intervention to revive the stalled progress. Subsequently, ?50 crore was released on Decem- ber 11, 2022, to resume the construction work. On January 17, 2023, Arora urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to restart Delhi–Ludhiana flights and continued to follow up on the project thereafter. Sources said commercial flight operations were likely to commence from March, with formal announcements in this regard expected to be made by the Chief Minister on Saturday. Air India has reportedly received necessary permissions from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to begin operations from the airport. Senior Congress leader and former chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board Pawan Dewan also welcomed the inauguration, saying his sustained push for the early operationalisation of the airport had finally “cleared the runway”. He expressed gratitude to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, to whom he had written a letter in November 2025, urging early opening of the airport to strengthen air connectivity in the region. Marking Ravidas Jayanti Ludhiana, January 31 BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, said a ‘credit war’ was unwarranted when key departments involved — Aviation, the Airports Authority of India and defence — fall under the Central Government. “Unless the Union Government was inclined to extend this benefit to the people of the state, the airport would not have become operational. I was an MP during the Congress regime and know how slowly the project moved — files were hardly pushed. It is only after the Prime Minister took personal interest that the airport finally saw the light of day,” he said. He is scheduled to accompany the Prime Minister during his Punjab visit on Saturday. Gangster Donny booked for demanding ~2-crextortion Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhaina, January 31 The Ludhiana police registered a case against notorious gangster Donny Bal. It is alleged that a extortion of Rs 2 crore was demanded in his name from Jagjit Singh, a local businessman. Donny was among the gangsters whose network was targeted by the Punjab Police under Operation Prahar recently. The victim alleged he received repeated threatening calls on WhatsApp, in which the caller identified himself as notorious gangster Donny Bal. Following the complaint, the Sadar police registered a case of extortion and began a probe. According to the FIR, Jagjit, a resident of Guru Nanak Colony, near GNE College, received a threat call on January 17. The caller threatened to kill him and demanded Rs 2 crore. Following which, the victim informed the police and brought the matter to the attention of the higher authorities. During investigation, the police filed an FIR against the gangster. According to police sources, Donny is linked to organised crime net- Was among criminals targeted by Punjab Police under Op Prahar ABOUT THE GANGSTER Balwinder Singh, alias Donny Bal, from Pati Balel village in Amritsar, is one of the main handlers of the Gopi Ghanshampuria Gang (Mann Ghanshampuria-Donny Bal faction) and is also aligned with the Bambiha gang. With over 32 FIRs against him, he has a long criminal history, including involvement in the murders of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s mother and cousin Karanbir Singh. works operating in the state and abroad. The police believe he is associated with the BambihaRana Kandowalia gang. A few days ago, the Amritsar police had registered a case against Donny in which Khushwant Singh (36), who runs a sweets shop on Verowal Road, told the police that on January 20, he received a WhatsApp call from an international number. The caller introduced himself as foreign-based gangster Donny Bal and demanded Rs 50 lakh, threatening to harm him and his family, if the money was not paid, the Two held for snatching, theft Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 31 The Ludhiana police claimed to have busted a gang of snatchers and nabbed two of them. The police also recovered two motorcycles and 10 mobile phones from the suspects. ADCP Sameer Verma while addressing a press conference stated that a special campaign was launched against those involved in snatching and robbery incidents. As part of the drive, the Ludhiana police arrested two culprits involved in incidents of theft and snatching. The suspects were identified as Rishi of Meharban Chungi, here, and Adil, a resident of Meharban, Ludhiana. Cops address mediapersons in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN The ADCP said during investigation, it was revealed that the suspects committed these crimes to earn money for drug consumption. They would be presented in court to obtain police remand. It would allow for further interrogation regarding other crimes and to gather information about their potential accomplices. Cop deployed outside showroom ‘Custodial torture’: 4 cops suspended, after threats dies of bullet injury probe marked to investigation wing City bizwoman loses ~26.9 lakh to investment fraud Accidental firing from constable’s service weapon suspected Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 31 A Punjab Police constable deployed for security outside a luxury car showroom died of a bullet injury in Mullanpur town of Ludhiana district on Saturday. The deceased was identified as Anoosh Masih (25), who sustained a bullet injury on his neck outside the showroom. The police said the security deployment was made after the owner of RAC Luxury Cars received extortion threats from a gangster. The police suspect that the bullet was accidentally fired from Anoosh’s service weapon. The victim, a resident of Lakhan Kalan village in Gurdaspur district, was part of Anoosh Masih, the deceased. the police team providing security at the showroom. According to sources, the incident occurred in the morning while Anoosh was sitting inside his car outside the showroom along with another constable. The victim reportedly asked his colleague to fetch water. During his absence, a bullet struck Anoosh in the neck. When the colleague returned, the victim was found lying face down on the car seat, bleeding profusely. Following the incident, police officials, along with a forensic team, rushed to the scene and began investigation. On January 16, the Ludhiana police had deployed four security personnel after the showroom owner received extortion threats. Two cops were posted at the owner’s residence and two at the showroom. Anoosh had recently joined the police force on compassionate grounds following the death of his father. Dakha DSP Varinder Singh Khosa said preliminary investigation suggests the bullet was accidentally fired from the constable’s AK-47 rifle. He said the bullet first struck his neck and then pierced the head. P2 Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 31 After the alleged custodial torture of a taxi driver by the police, Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma marked a probe to the investigation wing of the police. Four policemen have been suspended in the case. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation) Harpal Singh will lead the probe. After the Friday’s incident, when kin and supporters of taxi driver Ranjodh Singh blocked the Bharat Nagar Chowk for five hours, demanding action against the erring policemen, an FIR had been registered against four policemen — Lovepreet Singh, Deepak Sharma, Lovepreet Singh and Rohit — under Sections 115(2), 127(2) c m y b and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further, the police nominated Rajiv Gupta of Gandhi Nagar, Ajay Sharma of Bindraban Road and an unidentified suspect. It was registered under Sections 298 (injuring or defiling places of worship or sacred objects), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 126 (2) (wrongful restraint) of the BNS. DCP Harpal Singh said it was unfortunate that the victim was treated badly by the policemen and taking action on merit, a case was registered against the four officials. Now, CP Swapan Sharma marked investigation into the entire incident to the investigation wing and the police would thoroughly probe the matter. Four policemen have been suspended. The DCP urged the people Punjabi singer Simar Doraha detained, released in Canada Lovleen Bains The police recovered 10 mobiles and two motorcycles from them. “The suspects had committed over 12 theft and snatching incidents in the recent past. The gang might have more members and further questioning of the suspects would help the police in identifying other members,” Verma said. Devotees take part in a Shobha Yatra on the eve of Guru Ravidas Jayanti in Ludhiana on Saturday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN sources said. Donny, who was wanted in recent violent incidents, including the killing of kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria, was also named among the 61 overseas gangsters targeted by the Punjab Police in Operation Prahar. About the gangster Balwinder Singh, alias Donny Bal, from Pati Balel village in Amritsar rural, is one of the main handlers of the Gopi Ghanshampuria Gang (Mann Ghanshampuria-Donny Bal faction) and is also aligned with the Bambiha gang. His rivals include Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Harry Chatha and Landa Harike gangs. Donny is implicated in murder, attempt to murder, extortion, arms smuggling, robbery and dacoity cases. With over 32 FIRs against him, he has a long criminal history, including involvement in the murders of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s mother and cousin Karanbir Singh. He fled abroad and is suspected to be hiding in the United Kingdom, where he continues to run extortion rackets targeting rival gang members in Punjab through his accomplices. to stop sending wrong narrative about the incident on social media. Notably, on Friday after the incident, media adviser to Akal Takht Secretariat, Jaskaran Singh, had claimed that both cases were registered after the intervention of Jathedar Kuldip Singh Gargaj. After Ranjodh Singh’s vehicle brushed another vehicle, occupants blocked his way, misbehaved with him and attempted to tear Bhindranwale’s photo affixed on his vehicle. They had also passed some objectionable remarks. Jaskaran Singh said the Jathedar took note of a video posted by Ranjodh and spoke to the Commissioner of Police, asking the latter to take speedy and strict action. Ludhiana, January 31 An entrepreneur from the city lost Rs 26.98 lakh after falling prey to a fraudster. A man from Jammu and Kashmir allegedly lured the woman into investing the huge sum by promising high returns. The complainant, Seeta Rani of Royal View Homes on Pakhowal Road, filed a complaint with the Sadar police. She said the suspect contacted her via phone, claiming to represent a company ‘ Koshur Store Private Limited’, based in J&K. By promising ‘hefty returns’, the suspect persuaded her to invest Rs 26,98,000 in the firm. Once the money was transferred, the man stopped taking her calls. Later, the victim submitted a complaint to police. The police booked Morish Adam Shamiri of Srinagar in the case. — TNS Doraha, January 31 News of Punjabi singer Simar Doraha being detained briefly by the Canadian police was being circulated on social media on Saturday while the local police are yet to issue any statement in this regard. However, his family Kin say he is suffering from bipolar disorder cites he is suffering from bipolar disorder. As per Simar’s mother, he was arrested by the Canadian police but released later. Simar had shifted to Canada two years ago and is single. He came to India last month and stayed in Mohali in a rented accommodation. His parents, who reside in Doraha, said they were also shocked by the news. His mother Inderjeet Kaur, confirmed his arrest, adding that he was released after two hours. She told this correspondent that her son was suffering from bipolar disorder and he was undergoing treatment in India. “His condition has apparently worsened and the family is trying to convince him to get admitted to a hospital in Amritsar. When Simar came to India recently, he came to Doraha and stayed with us for two days. We have been trying hard to get him admitted to the hospital,” she added. Simar is a lyricist and singer with around 1 million followers on Instagram. He has written around 55 songs focusing on the themes of social issues, love, life, etc. Khanna SSP Darpan Ahluwalia said since the singer did not reside in the jurisdiction of Doraha, the police were not in a position to issue any statement in the matter.