07052026-LT-01.qxd 5/7/2026 1:07 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune MALOUD BDPO LANDS IN VB NET FOR TAKING ~15K BRIBE VEDANG RAINA PLAYS A SIKH IN IMTIAZ ALI’S FILM PET FRIENDLY CAFÉ IN SHIMLA OFFERS 10 PER CENT DISCOUNT The VB apprehended a BDPO posted at Maloud block in Ludhiana while accepting a bribe of ~15,000. P2 Actor Vedang Raina plays a turbaned Sardarji in Main Waapas Aaunga, which opens in cinemas on June 12. P4 Café Khoblu in Shimla offers 10 per cent discount to those who visit the restaurant with their pets. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 20°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.04 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:34 AM » THURSDAY | 7 MAY 2026 | LUDHIANA Delayed work on sewer repair at Rights panel seeks report from Moga SSP parking irks commuters, traders DEATH OF RETIRED LT COLONEL’S GRANDSON IN HIT-&-RUN ‘HOPE POLICE MAY SPEED UP PROBE NOW’ Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 6 Residents and shopkeepers near Bhadaur House are facing severe inconvenience due to the delayed sewerage repair work started by the Municipal Corporation around 20 days ago. The civic body had dug up a portion of the parking lot at Bhadaur House to repair damaged sewer pipes but locals alleged that the work has been left incomplete for the past nearly 10 days, leaving the portion dug up and waterlogged. With the repair work moving at a snail’s pace, sewerage overflow has now become a regular issue in the locality. Dirty water mixed with waste can be seen accumulated in the lot, emanating foul smell and creating unhygienic conditions for pedestrians, shopkeepers and commuters passing through the busy stretch. Traders said the stagnant sewer water was affecting businesses as customers avoid stopping near the market area due to the unbearable stench. Commuters were also facing dif- Work has been left incomplete for 10 days, leaving portion dug up, waterlogged Water accumulates in the dug-up portion of the parking lot at Bhadaur House in Ludhiana. INDERJEET VERMA ficulty navigating through the damaged portion of the parking lot, especially during peak traffic hours. Twowheeler riders and pedestrians are reportedly at risk due to the uneven surface and overflowing water. Residents alleged that despite repeated complaints, the work has not picked up pace. They urged Municipal Corporation officials to resume and complete the pending repair work before the situation worsens further during the upcoming monsoon season. Shopkeepers in the area said while they welcomed the repair of old sewer lines, the prolonged delay had added to their problems, instead of providing relief. They demanded that civic officials should ensure cleaning of the area after completion of the work to restore normal movement in the market. SE Ekjot Singh said: “I will direct officials to resolve the problem soon.” Ludhiana, May 6 Taking suo motu cognisance of a news report, ‘Retired Lt Col from Punjab runs from pillar to post for justice to kin,’ published in these columns recently, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) had issued a notice to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Moga, on Wednesday and directed him to submit an action-taken report. The copy of the order, available with The Tribune, states that the commission comprising Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash, member Justice Gurbir Singh and member Jitender Singh Shunty called for report from the Moga police chief, which is to be submitted a week before the next date of hearing on June 19, 2026. “The commission has perused the news report published in a leading daily newspaper under the headline ‘Retired Lt Col from Punjab runs from pillar to post for justice to kin”, indicating that the retired colonel has been fighting for justice for his grandson, Japjee Singh, who was killed in a hit-and-run case in Moga last Lt Col Balwinder Singh (retd) year. Prima facie, it is the violation of human rights at the hands of police personnel. A copy of the order, along with a copy of the news report, be sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Moga, through e-mail and by post for compliance and to the Special DGP Human Rights, , Punjab, Chandigarh, for information,” states the PSHRC order. The 78-year-old Lt Col, Balwinder Singh (retd), has been solely fighting for justice for his grandson Japjee Singh (19). The former Army officer, a resident of Basant Avenue, Ludhiana, said his grandson Expressing satisfaction over the development, Lt Col Balwinder Singh (retd) said he hopes that with the intervention of the human rights commission, finally the Moga police might speed up the investigation to trace the culprit, who killed his grandson. “I have also talked to Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Moga Amandeep Kaur and she had called him for a meeting on Thursday in Moga. She has assured that justice will be delivered,” he said. was hit head-on by a rashly driven tractor-trailer on the night intervening July 24 and 25 near Dagru village on the Moga-Ferozepur road. The deceased was pursuing internship at Hyatt Hotel in Ludhiana and he used to return home every night. He said he had no reason to go towards Moga near Dagru village, which was 70 km from the hotel, on that night. Even burnt paddy straw was also found near the body which raised the suspicion that the driver might have tried to eliminate evidence, he claimed. Japjee suffered fatal injuries as the tyre of the trac- Op Sindoor defines new normal in Birthday in blackout: When war silenced party nation’s strategic policy, say experts Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service ONE YEAR ON Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 6 Operation Sindoor, launched by India against the terror infrastructure in Pakistan on the intervening night of May 6 and 7, 2025, marked a major technology-driven military response, which defence experts say defines a “new normal” in the country’s strategic policy, shifting from diplomatic signalling to decisive retaliation. Col Harjap Singh, chairman, Feroze Gandhi Market Association, and former member of the Service Selection Board for officers, said the operation was a watershed in drone-centric warfare in South Asia and offered crucial military lessons. It underscored integrated triservice prowess, with the Army, Navy and Air Force operating under a unified plan, reflecting India’s evolution into a more cohesive fighting force. He noted that escalation was carefully controlled, with India anticipating Pakistan’s response to ensure that the conflict remained a “limited Col Harjap Singh (retd) Col CM Lakhanpal (retd) war” with clearly defined political objectives. Built-in “exit ramps” helped achieve the twin goals of retribution and deterrence, he said. Highlighting a critical moment, Colonel Singh said on May 10, the IAF executed a crippling strike that neutralised 11 Pakistani airfields in minutes, severely restricting their sortie generation capability and forcing a ceasefire. Col CM Lakhanpal, member, PAC, Mattewara Forests, Sutlej and Buddha Dariya, Ludhiana, said the operation demonstrated the calibrated use of force aligned with clearly defined political aims. He said precision targeting, time-bound execution and joint-force synergy reflected a mature approach to limited warfare under a nuclear threat, in line with doctrines such as the cold start strategy and evolving integrated battle group concepts. However, he cautioned that the changing threat landscape demands deeper preparedness. “Future conflicts will extend beyond conventional battlefields. Victory will depend not just on territorial gains but on dominance across land, air, sea, cyber and space domains,” he said. Emphasising that limited wars must be guided by clearly defined political end state, controlled escalation and precision strikes to avoid internationalisation, Colonel Lakhanpal also highlighted the growing significance of drone warfare, citing its role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “Swarm drones for offensive missions, loitering munitions for precision strikes and AI-enabled surveillance are transforming the nature of warfare,” he said. Ludhiana, May 6 As the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the “miniwar” India fought with Pakistan in 2025, falls this week, residents recall days of blackouts and blaring sirens that had shaken the North India and affected day-to-day lives of people for several days. Several private events planned during those days were abruptly disrupted by panic and uncertainty. One such evening remains etched in the memory of a local resident, Tina Nalwa, who had organised a grand celebration for her 50th birthday on May 8. Around 150 guests were invited, with elaborate arrangements for an evening of dance and dining at a prominent city hotel. But by 7 pm, rumours of an impending blackout began circulating. “I tried to calm everyone and asked them not to panic, but within an hour, guests started leaving,” Nalwa recalled. “There was so much chaos that the lift was packed beyond capacity. Many did not even wait — they rushed down the stairs.” The celebration ended almost as abruptly as it had begun, with food left untouched and an atmosphere overtaken by fear. “It’s a day I can never forget,” she tor-trailer ran over him. The errant driver fled, along with the vehicle. Japjee was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. He alleged poor and unprofessional investigation by the Moga police in the matter. He said the accident occurred at 1.30 am on July 25 and officials from the Moga Sadar police station reached the spot almost eight hours late. By then, the suspect driver had got ample time to escape and hide his vehicle at a safe place. Even the police failed to procure CCTV footage of toll booths, hotels or dhabas on the highway. Expressing satisfaction over the development, Colonel Singh said he hopes that with the intervention of the human rights commission, finally the Moga police might speed up the investigation to trace the culprit, who killed his grandson. “I have also talked to Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Moga Amandeep Kaur and she had called him for a meeting on Thursday in Moga. She has assured that justice will be delivered in the case,” he said. BA student falls off 2nd floor of CT varsity, critical Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service A blackout exercise being conducted during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. FILE said, adding that despite the disruption, she understood the collective sentiments and anxiety that prevailed across the country at the time. Another homemaker, Teena, said out of panic, she had stocked up rations and necessary articles for the next two months. “Starting from kitchen items to medicines and other articles, we stored so much fearing war could continue for several days,” said Teena. But she appreciated that the common man was least bothered in those days. Recalling those tense days, Dr Ravindra Vatsayan, a senior Ayurvedic practitioner, said: “Early that morning, my elder son rushed into my room saying India had begun punitive action against Pakistan. I called a few doctor friends, who were already glued to their TV sets. As the operation unfolded live, people hoped India would deal with the menace decisively. Like many others, I felt unsettled when news of an abrupt ceasefire came. A year on, I believe much has been done, but much more remains to be achieved to curb Pakistan’s continued hostility.” Sanjay Mahindru, owner of Vishal Towers, recalled that the period coincided with Chintpurni Jayanti, which is celebrated in Ludhiana every year. “As responsible citizens, we cancelled all celebrations and instead offered prayers for the nation and our soldiers. The event was held 15 days later, once normalcy returned,” he said. Appreciating the effectiveness of the precision strikes, Dr GS Grewal noted that normal life remained largely unaffected. “The most remarkable aspect of Operation Sindoor was its accuracy. We followed every development through the media. There was a strong sense of patriotism and many felt the action should continue to teach the enemy a lasting lesson,” he said. Ludhiana, May 6 A major accident occurred at CT University in Jagraon, Ludhiana, on Wednesday afternoon after a first-year BA student fell from the second floor of the campus under suspicious circumstances. The incident caused a stir on the campus. The seriously injured student was rushed to the Jagraon Civil Hospital, where doctors referred her to the DMCH in Ludhiana. According to the police, the girl has been identified as Navdeep Kaur, a resident of Dharamkot, Moga district. Around 12:30 pm, the police received information that a student had fallen off the second floor of the university. SHO, Jagraon Sadar, inspector Nitish Chaudhary, said the police had already initiated a probe the incident. “Every angle will be explored. Once the girl gives her statement, things would become more clear,” he said. The SHO said the CCTV footage of the campus shows that the girl had jumped from the second floor and no one pushed her off. Still, the exact truth behind the incident would clear once the police record her statement. Couple dies by suicide, leaves note 7 MC employees suspended for attacking ex-serviceman Were upset due to their poor financial condition, woman’s ailing health Our Correspondent Raikot, May 6 A couple from Pamal village in Raikot, Ludhiana district, Gurmeet Singh (55) and Narinder Kaur (55) allegedly died by suicide by consuming some poisonous substance when they were alone at their house late on Tuesday night. The couple has left a sui- Gurmeet Singh & Narinder Kaur cide note, stating that they were upset due to poor finan- cial condition of the family and poor health of the woman for over five years. In the note, they wrote that no one should be held responsible for their death as they were taking the step on their own. The couple is survived by two sons and a daughter. While the daughter and one son are settled in Canada, the other son is working at a local private hospital. The victims were found unconscious on their bed when their son returned from duty at midnight. They were rushed to a private hospital in the area, where they were declared brought dead. SHO, Jodhan Saheb, Meet Singh, said the bodies had been handed over to their family after conducting inquest proceedings. c m y b Ludhiana, May 6 A father-son duo suffered injuries after they were attacked by employees of the Municipal Council in Machhiwara. They were attacked by the staff during an anti-encroachment drive on Monday night. The injured were undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital in Samrala. The video of the incident had also gone viral on social media. Following the incident, the council suspended seven employees. The Machhiwara police also registered a case against the suspects under various sections of the BNS. The booked suspects were identified as Sukhwinder Singh, alias Chhota, of Charan Kanwal Chowk, Manoj Kumar and Paras of Valmiki Mohalla and Babli and Nona of Machhiwara, besides others named in the case. Sukhwinder, Paras and Manoj were arrested in the case and raids were being conducted to nab the other suspects said Machhi- wara SHO sub-inspector Pavitar Singh. The complainant, Kuldeep Singh (47), an ex-serviceman, said he earns his daily bread bg selling vegetables from a tractor-trailer. On Monday night, he, along with his son, was selling vegetables on the roadside near the bus stand when the MC staff came and started removing encroachments from the road. He said the staff took away his weighing machine and speakers. He requested them to return the same but they didn’t listen and started hurling abuses at him. In no time, they all pounced on him. They even did not spare his son Sumanpreet Singh. The assailants used plastic crates and some iron objects to thrash them. Vikramjit, executive officer, Municipal Council, Machhiwara, said: “Following the video of a spat of safai sewaks of the MC with the man, I have suspended them as they have started arguments, which turned into a physical assault.” — TNS