19072026-ATR-01.qxd 18-07-2026 22:32 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE OF KANGRA’S MCM DAV COLLEGE DENGUE SPREAD LOOMS, FOGGING INTENSIFIED SHAKIRA, BURNA BOY REHEARSE FOR SUNDAY’S FIFA FINAL EVENT Author Sanjeev Suri’s book chronicles 50 years of MCM DAV College, Kangra, from a modest beginning. P2 Health officials have intensified the anti-dengue drive after larvae were detected at 22 locations in city. P3 MAX 34°C | MIN 29°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 29°C Shakira and Burna Boy came together to fine-tune their performance before Sunday’s showpiece event. P4 » SUNSET SUNDAY 7.35 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.28 AM » » SUNDAY | 19 JULY 2026 | AMRITSAR Cross-border smuggling module busted, 4 held Pawan K Jaiswar ARMS RECOVERED; 1ST ARREST MADE ON JULY 4 Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 18 With the arrest of four persons, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police have busted a crossborder narcotics and illegal arms smuggling module allegedly having links with Pakistan-based smugglers. Those arrested include a vegetable vendor and a salon owner. The police also recovered 5.557 kg of heroin, two sophisticated pistols and a motorcycle from the accused’s possession. Divulging information about the cross-border drone smuggling network, DGP Gaurav Yadav on Saturday said a probe into the case revealed that the accused received consignments of heroin and weapons from across the International Border before supplying them to drug traffickers and in Punjab. The operation began with the arrest of Akash Sandhu, a vegetable vendor, from the Islamabad police station area on July 4. The police recovered 192 gram of heroin from his possession and later seized another 776 gram on the basis of his disclosure. ■ The operation began with the arrest of Akash Sandhu, a vegetable vendor, from the Islamabad police station area on July 4. ■ The police recovered 192 gram of heroin from his possession and later seized another 776 gram on the basis of his disclosure. ■ They also took a Glock 9 mm pistol and a .30 bore pistol into possession. ■ During questioning, Akash allegedly disclosed that he had procured the contraband from The police say the accused received consignments of heroin and Sunil Saroj of Khai Mohalla, a arms from across the International Border. PHOTO BY WRITER salon owner. During questioning, Akash allegedly disclosed that he had procured the contraband from Sunil Saroj of Khai Mohalla, a salon owner. Acting on the lead, the police arrested Sunil on July 10 and recovered 4.589 kg of heroin from him. Investigators said Sunil was in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers, who used drones to send heroin consignments across the border. He allegedly collected the consignments and distributed them through his associates. The probe further led to the arrest of Harwinder Singh, alias Chamkaur, and Vansh Singh. The police recovered a Glock 9 mm pistol and a .30 bore pistol from them. They said Harwinder was also linked to a cross-border illegal arms smuggling network and allegedly received weapon consignments through drones before supplying them to criminal elements. He was also wanted in a commercial quantity heroin case registered at the Chheharta police station earlier this year. The police said Harwinder and Vansh belonged to the same border village near the International Border, indicating their alleged role in facilitating cross-border narcotics and arms smuggling. Investigators claimed that while Akash, Sunil and Harwinder were habitual offenders and were wanted in cases under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act, Vansh did not have any criminal record. FIRs under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act have been registered in Islamabad and Chheharta. The police said efforts were on to zero in on the accused's accomplices. c m y b Narcotic substances destroyed BJP picks Salil Kapoor as new district chief 9 sophisticated pistols seized Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 18 Ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, the state’s BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Saturday announced organisational changes in the party’s Amritsar district unit. As part of the reshuffle, the party high command has appointed Salil Kapoor as the new district president. Kapoor’s appointment is being seen as an effort to strengthen the party’s grassroots network. Over the years, he has held several key positions, including ward president. Reacting to his appointment, Kapoor said leading the party in an Amritsar, July 18 The Amritsar Rural Police and its other wings on Friday confiscated nine sophisticated pistols in separate incidents and arrested four persons. While two FIRs were registered on complaints from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the other two were filed following the Amritsar Rural Police crackdown in the Lopoke and Gharinda areas. A probe to trace down the source of weapons’ supply or a possible cross-border smuggling is on. The police said the first continued on page 3 Amritsar, July 18 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police have destroyed narcotic substances seized in 280 cases over the past two days. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations) Ravinder Singh Sandhu, who heads the Drug Disposal Committee, said the destroyed contraband included 1.443 kg of heroin, 35,775 intoxicant capsules, 15,866 tablets, 10.245 kg of intoxicant powder, 8 kg of poppy husk, 500 grams of smack, 10 kg of charas, 600 injections, 3.2 kg of ganja and 135 grams of ICE (crystal methamphetamine). Salil Kapoor important border district like Amritsar would be a significant responsibility. He added that his primary focus would be on strengthening coordination between senior and new party workers. –– TNS Tribune News Service Amicable end to14-yr-old cheque-bounce dispute Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 18 A 14-year-old cheque-bounce case, involving a commercial dispute, was settled during a Special Lok Adalat held by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) here on Saturday. As many as 37 of the 391 cases were taken up before five benches, with the settlement amount reaching Rs 51.09 lakh. The highlight of the Lok Adalat was the settlement of a 37 OF 391 CASES TAKEN UP IN LOK ADALAT ■ The matter was finally resolved after both parties agreed to settle the dispute for ~2.5 lakh, paid by the accused to the complainant. ■ As many as 37 of the 391 cases were taken up before five benches during a Special Lok Adalat. complaint titled “Gourav Impex vs Golden Overseas”, which had been pending since May 14, 2012. The dispute that arose following a business transaction was resolved after over 14 years through mutual consent. The complainant had alleged that the accused firm purchased goods worth Rs 36.76 lakh and paid Rs 20 lakh, leaving an outstanding liability. To clear the balance, the accused allegedly issued two cheques for Rs 5 lakh each, which were dishonoured in March 2012 with the bank’s remark “Payment Stopped by Drawer”. A complaint under the Negotiable Instruments Act was subsequently filed after the accused failed to clear the dues despite receiving a legal notice. During the trial, the accused was declared a proclaimed offender. Following his arrest, the proceedings resumed. The court continued to encourage both sides to explore an amicable settlement.