17102026-ATR-01.qxd 10/16/2026 10:58 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY GURDASPUR STUDENTS GET SPACE TECH EXPOSURE AT NASA DOC COMPILES EVERYDAY CLINIC CONVERSATIONS WE ARE A VOYEURISTIC COUNTRY AFTER ALL: WRITER NAVJOT GULATI Ten students of Doon International School, Gurdaspur, gain exposure to space science at NASA. P2 DrNareshChawlapensdailyconversations inhisbook‘DilDiyanGallan-Patients,People, PunjabandStoriesinBetween’.P3 With Pooja Meri Jaan, filmmaker and writer Navjot Gulati explores the complexities of toxic relationships. P4 » » » MAX 29°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET SATURDAY 5.53 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:29 AM SATURDAY | 17 OCTOBER 2026 | AMRITSAR Handed fake tickets, 16 flyers Father-son duo was in touch to Dubai detained at airport with Pak smuggler under SEIZURE OF ASSAULT RIFLE, HAND GRENADES pseudonym ‘Chacha’: Police Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 16 Picture this: You dream of working in a foreign country and to realise it, you burn the midnight oil. Once you arrange the money, you hand it to a travel agent, who gives you fake tickets and have you detained at the airport. Such is the ordeal of 16 flyers to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who were detained at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport yesterday after their tickets were found to be fake during security checks. The passengers, most of them from Punjab and one or two from Himachal Pradesh, were released around 11 pm after nearly 11 hours of questioning. According to the SHO, airport police station, Kuljit Kaur, the passengers, who had arrived at the airport to board the Sharjah-bound flight, were at entry checks when their tickets came under suspicion. A subsequent examination found all 16 tickets to be fake, following which they were taken into custody for questioning. During the inquiry, the passengers reportedly told the police that they were travel- Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Preliminary investigation has revealed that all 16 passengers had got tickets from different agents. LET OFF AFTER 11 HOURS OF QUESTIONING ■Sixteen flyers to Sharjah in the ■ According to the SHO, airport United Arab Emirates (UAE), who were detained at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on Thursday after their tickets were found to be fake. ■ The flyers, most of them from Punjab and one or two from Himachal Pradesh, were released around 11 pm after nearly 11 hours of questioning. police station, Kuljit Kaur, the passengers, who had arrived at the airport to board the Sharjahbound flight, were at entry checks when their tickets came under suspicion. ■ A subsequent examination found all 16 tickets to be fake, following which they were taken into custody for questioning. ling to the UAE to earn a livelihood through manual labour. The police are investigating as to whom the passengers approached to get the tickets. Investigators are also examining whether all 16 passengers purchased the tickets from the same source or obtained them through different channels. The possible involvement of a travel agent or an organised network in supplying the fake tickets is also being probed. The SHO said the passengers were released around 11 pm. The process of registering an FIR against the agent allegedly involved in providing the tickets was underway, she added. Preliminary investigation revealed that all 16 passengers had got tickets from different agents, the police said. They added that an FIR would be registered after the verification of the agent's identity. Brush with the vice Amritsar, October 16 The seizure of an assault rifle, two hand grenades and sophisticated pistols has once again put a spotlight on how drug addicts are easily being lured into the cross-border trafficking of drugs, arms and explosives for easy money and drugs. The father-son duo, Gurpreet Singh and Jaskaran Singh, residents of Ballarwal village in Ajnala, who were among the five persons arrested by the Counter Intelligence with the weapon consignment, did not have any previous criminal record. Gurpreet Singh is a drug addict, said Counter Intelligence Deputy Superintendent of Police Inderdeep Singh. The family owns around two acres of agricultural land in the border village. This is not the first instance wherein a drug addict was nabbed. In the previous instances, including murderous attacks on police officials and police establishments, a majority of those arrested or killed in police encounters were hooked to “chitta”. FOREIGN LINK ■ According to the police, the father-son duo had allegedly been retrieving consignments of arms, ammunition and explosives dropped by drones from across the border on the instructions of the foreign-based smuggler. ■ They were to deliver the consignment to their associates near Teri village in Ajnala when they were intercepted following a tip off. The investigation into the module revealed that the accused were allegedly in touch with a Pakistan-based smuggler operating under the pseudonym “Chacha”. The five accused, including a father-son duo, were produced in a local court, which remanded them in three-day police custody for further interrogation. Other accused arrested in the case include Veenu, a res- ident of Sagarpur in Batala; Amritpal Singh, a resident of Rasulpur village in Batala; and Gaurav Masih, a resident of Gounspura village in Batala. Among the weapons recovered include a .30-bore assault rifle, two hand grenades, 13 foreign-made pistols and 25 live cartridges. The recovered weapons included four 9-mm Glock pistols and nine .30-bore pistols. Two motorcycles allegedly used for transporting the consignments were also impounded. According to the police, the father-son duo had allegedly been retrieving consignments of arms, ammunition and explosives dropped by drones from across the border on the instructions of the foreign-based smuggler. They were to deliver the consignment to their associates near Teri village in Ajnala when they were intercepted following a tip off. A case under the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered at the State Special Operation Cell police station in Amritsar. Gunshots fired at toll booths; probe launched Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 16 Three masked men allegedly opened fire at two toll booths, shattering glasses and triggering panic in the area. The incident, which occurred around 3.30 am on the intervening night of October 14 and 15, came to light when a complaint was lodged by a toll plaza employee, Gurvinder Singh, a resident of Dharar with the police. According to the complainant, he, along with his colleague Bansh Sharma, was at toll gate number 6, while their coworker Arshdeep Singh was inside the cabin at toll gate number 7. He alleged that three masked men arrived on a motorcycle from the Jandiala side. One of them allegedly fired two shots at the cabin occupied by Arshdeep Singh, apparently with the intention of attacking him. The bullets hit the glass panes and passed through them, Gurvinder said. The person who was riding pillion then allegedly fired at the cabin occupied by Gurvinder Singh and Bansh Sharma at toll gate number 6. The bullet struck the front glass pane, shattering it. The employees were terrified by the sudden gunshots and immediately sounded the toll plaza’s hooter to alert others. They subsequently informed their manager Fiaz about the incident, the complainant stated. A case has been registered. A lesson in legal rights for villagers Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 16 More than 300 villagers got access to legal aid, healthcare, government welfare schemes and other public services on Friday. During an initiative by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Amritsar, residents of Daoke village located near India-Pakistan border were apprised of their rights and various benefits they could avail of. Earlier, panel advocates and para-legal volunteers conducted door-to-door visits in the village to listen to residents’ grievances and collect applications. The applications and complaints were subsequently taken up with the department concerned. Also, a Health Department team examined villagers and distributed medicines. A girl gives the final touches to an effigy of Ravana ahead of Dasehra in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Daily wager held with 2 kg heroin, over 5 kg opium Pawan K Jaiswar Officials create awareness about legal aid, social security and other benefits at Daoke village in Amritsar on Friday. The Labour Department played its part by apprising the residents of registration and benefits available under the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Awareness was also created about rural employment and livelihood opportunities under VB-G RAMG. Representatives of the ESewa Kendras assisted villagers with online government services, applications and documentation. The camp also facilitated access to social security and pension schemes, educational benefits, banking services and panchayat-related matters. Kept promise, work Fogging stepped up, watch out Kidnapping, assault: on stadium almost for symptoms: Health officials Second accused held complete: Minister First accused was Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jandiala Guru, October 16 Punjab Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO today inspected work on the sports stadium being built at a cost of Rs 3.50 crore at Jandiala Guru. He said the stadium would be inaugurated on Dasehra and dedicated to players and sports lovers. “Last year on Dasehra, I announced to build a new sports stadium at Jandiala Guru. I kept my promise as the stadium is nearing completion,” he said. He said the Punjab Government was continuously making efforts to promote sports culture in the state and connect the youth with sports. The minister claimed that more Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO (in yellow turban) at Jandiala Guru. than 3,000 stadia were being built across the state. “Sportspersons from Punjab are showcasing their talent at the national and international levels and proving their worth by winning medals. The new stadium would not only motivate the youth, but also encourage sporting events at the local level too,” the minister said. Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 16 Fogging has been intensified in government schools and other hotspots under the Punjab Government’s campaign “Har Shukarwar, Dengu Te war” initiative. The campaign also focuses on creating awareness about mosquito breeding and also lists preventive measures. Addressing students and the staff at Government Senior Secondary School, Gawal Mandi, district epidemiologist Dr Harjot Kaur said stagnant water provided ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. She urged residents to inspect their houses every Friday and ensure that water did not accumulate in air coolers, refrigerator trays, flowerpots, water Amritsar, October 16 The Sadar police have arrested the second accused involved in the kidnapping and assault of a resident of Gupta Colony. The accused has been identified as Sajan, alias Cheeni, a resident of Majitha Road. The police had earlier arrested an accused, Mantosh, on October 10 and recovered a kirch (sharp weapon) allegedly used in the crime following his disclosure. According to the complaint filed by Munni Devi, a resident of Gupta Colony on the Majitha Road, some persons allegedly attacked her son, Parshuram, alias Bittu, at Ram Nagar Colony, inflicting serious injuries on him. The com- Health officials with students of a government school. tanks, unused articles kept on rooftops and other containers. Preventing mosquito breeding was the most effective way to control dengue, she said, appealing to people to cooperate with the Health Department. The residents were also advised to wear fullsleeved clothes and use mosquito repellents. District Mass Education and c m y b Information Officer Amardeep Singh said dengue was a viral disease transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Its symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes and vomiting. Bleeding from the nose, mouth or gums could also occur, he added. nabbed on October 10 plainant further alleged that her son was kidnapped from the house of former sarpanch Kamal Kumar. Following this, the police registered a case at the Sadar police station on October 9 and initiated a probe. Sajan, alias Cheeni, and other persons were also nominated as accused on the basis of the facts that emerged and sections of kidnapping were subsequently added to the case. Assistant Commissioner of Police Gagandeep Singh said the police arrested Sajan on Thursday and that a probe to ascertain the role of the other accused was underway. Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 16 In a joint operation, the Amritsar rural police and the Border Security Force seized 2 kg of heroin and 5.468 kg of opium allegedly smuggled from Pakistan. They also arrested a person for the alleged drug trafficking. The police said the accused, Yugraj Singh alias Kakka, a resident of Dhanoa Kalan, was a daily wager. On receiving a tipoff that he was bringing a consignment of heroin and opium from the Chak Allah Baksh area side, a police team, led by the Lopoke SHO Jasdeep Singh, laid a naka and intercepted him. Duringchecking,thecontrabandwas recovered from his possession. Police teams, along with BSF troops, were patrolling the Bachiwind village side, located close to the International Border, at that time. “We got specific inputs regarding his cross-border illegal trade activities. The informer said the accused used to airdrop drug consignments through drones,” said the police. Preliminary probe revealed that he had been in contact with Paksitan-based smugglers through encrypted communication platforms. Jasdeep Singh, SHO, Lopoke police station, said the accused was produced before a local court and brought on a three-day police remand for further interrogation. His mobile phone was also being forensically examined. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered.