24022026-ATR-01.qxd 2/24/2026 1:02 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY CANADIAN MP PAYS OBEISANCE AT GOLDEN TEMPLE MANIPURI FILM BOONG INDIA’S FIRST WIN @BAFTA EAT PUNCHY COTTAGE CHEESE DISH AT SIDHU’S RESTAURANT Canadian MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tim Uppal paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. P2 Director Lakshmipriya Devi makes history, Dharmendra remembered & Indian designs dazzle. P4 Situated in Sector 25, Panchkula, Sidhu’s Restaurant is winning hearts with dishes curated with passion. P4 » » » MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.24 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7.02 AM TUESDAY | 24 FEBRUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Narrow escape for Bhinder villagers in armed attack Famed Bollywood singers Kailash Kher, Usha Uthup lead grand closing at Sacred Amritsar Amritsar, February 23 Two unidentified persons fired at the occupants of a car while they were returning to their native Bhinder village, under the jurisdiction of the Khalchian police station. The incident occurred on Friday night, and a case was registered on Sunday. The complainant, Shubhkarmanpreet Singh, a resident of Bhinder village, told the police that he had gone to Tong village on Friday evening to inspect work on his JCB machine. After completing the inspection, he left for home along with his friend Jarmandeep Singh, also a resident of the village, in a car (PB02 AQ 5722) driven by Jarmandeep. At around 10.30 pm, on the outskirts of Bhinder village, two unidentified persons with their faces covered suddenly appeared from the driver’s side and blocked their way. One of the assailants, armed with a pistol, allegedly fired a shot at the car’s front windshield. The attackers then fled the scene. Fortunately, the car occupants narrowly escaped unharmed and no injuries were reported in the incident. The police confirmed that a case of firing and attempt to murder has been registered. Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the accused. — TNS Amritsar, February 23 The Sacred Amritsar 2026 concluded on a deeply spiritual note, bringing together a rich blend of music, ideas, and immersive cultural experiences. The festival culminated in a spectacular musical finale led by some of India’s most iconic voices, including Usha Uthup and Kailash Kher. The concluding day began with tranquil morning ragas, where Aastha Mandle’s classical brilliance, accompanied by tabla, harmonium, and sarod, created a serene and contemplative atmosphere. This was followed by an engaging Indian classical flute and percussion recital by Kartikeya Vashist and Makrand Sanon, which took the audience by surprise with its eclectic fusion of musical styles. The experimental performance drew listeners into an immersive soundscape through the innovative use of real-time sounds. The festival’s reflective dimension came alive during the thought-provoking session Afterlives: The Ghosts Around Us, featuring Sanjoy K Roy in conversation with Eric Chopra. The discussion drew audiences into a compelling dialogue on memory, spirituality, and the unseen. Eric’s debut book, Ghosted, and Roy’s There’s a Ghost in My Room were also Tribune News Service 6 kg heroin, 6 kg ICE seized near border Tribune News Service Singers Kailash Kher and Usha Uthup (below) at Gobindgarh Fort in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR explored during the session. Adding further depth to the experience, specially curated heritage trails led delegates through the storied streets, sacred gurdwaras, and historic katras of the city. Guided by city chronicler Tarundeep Singh, these immersive walks included visits to the sacred Golden Temple and explorations of the Partition Museum, allowing participants to connect closely with the region’s spiritual and historical legacy. The highlight of the festival, however, was the grand evening concerts at Gobindgarh Fort. The Anirudh Varma Collective presented an ensemble per- formance of classical Indian compositions, setting an elegant tone for the evening. Later, Usha Uthup, the original diva of Indian film music, transported the audience on a wave of retro nostalgia with her popular numbers. Her lively interaction with the crowd proved just as memo- rable as her songs. The final evening opened with The Kutle Khan Project, which set the tone with evocative folk and Sufi melodies. The festival reached its crescendo with a powerful, high-energy performance by Padma Shri awardee Kailash Kher and his band Kailasa. Amritsar, February 23 The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Punjab Police has arrested three persons and seized 6 kg of heroin and 6 kg of ICE (crystal methamphetamine) in a major drone-based smuggling bust here on Monday. Sharing details, Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said the accused were in direct contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler and were receiving drug consignments via drones from across the International Border. The arrested individuals have been identified as Partap Singh of Sursingh Wala village in Ferozepur, Ajaypal Singh of Kohala village and Jobandeep Singh of Khiala Kalan village. The police also impounded a motorcycle (PB02FE1185) and a scooter (PB02ET8995) allegedly used to transport the contraband. The DGP said a preliminary investigation revealed that Partap Singh and Ajaypal Singh were tasked with collecting consignments dropped by drones near Atalgarh and Rattan Khurd villages located close to the The seized contraband in the custody of the CI wing in Amritsar. International Border with Pakistan. The accused were further responsible for distributing the narcotics to other handlers within the state. Providing operational details, he said that the CI, Amritsar, received specific inputs that the duo had recently received a large drug consignment and were on their way to deliver it to an associate near the water tank close to the cremation ground in Padhri village. Acting swiftly, police teams conducted a raid at the loca- Punjab Special DGP Arpit Two jailed brothers’ property demolished Shukla reviews border security Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Tribune Reporters Amritsar/ Tarn Taran, Feb 23 Punjab’s Special DGP Arpit Shukla on Monday visited the sensitive border belt to review security arrangements following the brutal killing of two police personnel — ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard jawan Ashok Kumar — at the Adhian village police post under the Dorangla police station. The incident has raised serious questions over a possible intelligence failure. The visit, covering the border districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran, is seen as both a damage-control measure and an effort to identify and plug potential intelligence gaps along the border. Terming the Dorangla incident as unfortunate, Shukla said that while such incidents do occur, the police Punjab Special DGP Arpit Shukla during a security review visit at Khalra in Tarn Taran district on Monday. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI have responded effectively by cracking the cases and arresting the perpetrators. “Senior officials have been camping there, working on all possible theories, and arresting suspects,” he said, adding that operational details cannot be shared. The matter is being exam- ined seriously using technical and scientific methods. DGP holds meetings with senior BSF officials Shukla highlighted that the Punjab Police are strengthening the second line of defence by increasing personnel. continued on page 2 Amritsar, February 23 In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Amritsar Police Commissionerate on Monday demolished an allegedly illegally acquired property belonging to two suspected drug smugglers at Kot Atma Ram in the Sultanwind Road area, under the jurisdiction of the Division B police station. This marks the 20th such demolition carried out in the past year. The structure was allegedly built using proceeds from the narcotics trade, said Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, who visited the site and supervised the demolition. He also interacted with local residents during the operation. The property belonged to two real brothers — Kuljeet Singh, alias Happy Penchar (36), and Jatinder Singh, alias Sonu (37). Both are currently lodged in jail and face multiple criminal cases under the NDPS Act, the Arms The house of two drug peddlers being razed in the Kot Atma Rarn area on Sultanwind Road in Amritsar on Monday. VISHAL KUMAR Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code. According to the police, they had no other known sources of income. It is learnt that the accused had constructed special cavities in the windows of the house to facilitate the sale of drugs. Sharing further details, Bhullar said Kuljeet Singh faces six FIRs registered between 2014 and 2026, including cases related to NDPS violations, arms offences, attempted murder and other serious crimes at the Maqboolpura and Division B police stations. Similarly, Jatinder Singh has eight criminal cases registered against him, including cases under the NDPS Act at the Sultan- wind police station, as well as other serious offences at the Maqboolpura, Chheharta and Division B police stations. He said the demolition was carried out by the Amritsar Municipal Corporation with police assistance as part of an ongoing crackdown on properties created through drug money. He reiterated that assets built from the proceeds of narcotics trafficking would not be allowed to stand. The Police Commissioner urged citizens to assist law enforcement agencies in the fight against drugs and organised crime. He encouraged the public to share information confidentially through the Punjab Police Anti-Gangster Helpline (93946-93946), where rewards of up to Rs 10 lakh are offered for credible information leading to the arrest of gangsters. Bhullar said that over the past year, under the Punjab Police’s flagship campaign Yudh Nashian Virudh, the Amritsar Police continued on page 2 Man injured in violent At 90, Jean Bennatt keeps husband’s legacy alive attack in Ajnala Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 23 A man was seriously injured after being attacked with firearms and sharp-edged weapons in a violent incident in the Ajnala area on Saturday. The police have registered a case under charges of attempt to murder and relevant provisions of the Arms Act at the Ajnala police station. Those named in the case include Bhavdeep Singh, alias Shera, Akash Sandhu, both residents of the same village, along with several unknown persons. The injured, identified as Harjinder Singh (30), a resident of Bhakha Tara Singh village in Ajnala, told the police that the incident occurred while he was returning home on his motorcycle (PB-18-Y-2120). Near a gurdwara and close to a medical store in the village, a black car allegedly rammed his motorcycle from behind, causing him to fall and sustain multiple injuries. According to the complaint, the car occupants included Bhavdeep Singh, alias Shera, Akash Sandhu, and three unidentified persons. Bhavdeep Singh was allegedly armed with a .12 bore pumpaction rifle, while the others carried sharp-edged weapons. The complainant alleged continued on page 2 Gurdaspur, February 23 In the UK, nonagenarian Jean Bennatt lives a short distance away from Yarmouth, the same place which symbolises workingclass warmth in Charles Dickens classic David Copperfield. Bennatt, who has been visiting Dhariwal, 10 km from Gurdaspur, for the last 28 years, has been exuding the same warmth and compassion by serving patients in the Salvation Army Mac Robert Hospital. Bennatt says, “I take care of the needs of the poor and needy because the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others. This An old picture of Jean Bennatt with her son and husband at the Salvation Army Mac Robert Hospital near Gurdaspur. is my way of remembering c m y b my husband, Col Arnold, who served as hospital’s administrator from 1973 to 1980. There is no workout better for yourself than reaching down and lifting people up.” Incidentally, the Colonel breathed his last at the very institution which he served so diligently. Jean said she was “broken into a thousand parts” when her husband died. “However, I did not lose hope. I felt an intense inner urge to keep on serving patients in Dhariwal. This is my way of staying in touch with my husband,” she said. This year, she was accompanied by her son, Peter. Like every year, this year too, the duo was hosted by philanthropist Romesh Mahajan in his hotel. In England, she lives in Lymington with her family. “I will keep on coming to the health facility till my last breath. If I can touch someone and create a lasting impression, what else do I need? Medicines do not cure a patient, love and care do,” she added. Jean and her son returned home yesterday. She recalls that during the time she spent in Dhariwal with her husband, she would often go to nearby villages and reach out to people who could not afford their treatment. “Those memories are my greatest treasure. Those were indeed the golden years of my life,” she said. Jean continued on page 2 tion and apprehended all three accused along with the narcotics haul. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at the State Special Operation Cell police station here. Police officials said further investigations are underway to trace backward and forward linkages in the network and to identify other individuals involved in the cross-border smuggling module. More arrests are likely as the probe progresses. Two fresh extortion cases reported in rural belt Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 23 The continuing incidents of extortion threats, despite earlier crackdowns, have raised questions about the effectiveness of existing deterrence measures. As fresh complaints continue to surface, concerns are mounting over criminal networks allegedly exploiting gaps in surveillance and enforcement. A growing number of extortion complaints has also created an atmosphere of unease among residents, particularly traders and farmers in the rural belt. Two fresh cases of alleged extortion threats involving overseas calls have been registered by the Amritsar Rural Police in the past 24 hours. The police have launched investigations into both cases. In the first case registered under Section 308(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Beas police station, the complainant, Baljit Singh, a resident of New Model Town, Rayya, reported that on the evening of February 13, he received an international call from a person identifying himself as “Jaisal”, who allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh in extortion. He stated that a second call was received on the afternoon of February 15 from another foreign number. The caller also sent a WhatsApp message reiterating the demand for money. In another FIR registered under Sections 308(4) and 351(2) of the BNS at the Bhindi Saidan police station, the victim, Jaspal Singh (43), a resident of Kot Sidhu village, stated that he is engaged in agriculture. He alleged that on Saturday continued on page 2