Amritsar

Man suspected of being linked to terror outfit dies in blast in Amritsar

A man suspected to belong to a terrorist outfit died in an explosion that took place near Majitha Road in Amritsar on Tuesday, police said. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Maninder Singh said the man was retrieving some explosive material when the blast happened, possibly due to mishandling. The SSP said the man might be linked to some terror organisation. "The foot soldier came here to retrieve the explosive material," he said. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory was at the spot to collect samples of the explosive, police said. Locals reported hearing a loud blast followed by a panic in the area, which has since been cordoned off by police.

Days after Amritsar hootch tragedy, 3 die consuming liquor in Ludhiana

Close on the heels of the Amritsar hooch tragedy that claimed 27 lives, three persons died after allegedly consuming liquor at Basti Jodhewal in Ludhiana district, police said Thursday. However, the exact cause of the deaths will be ascertained only after post-mortem examinations, ADCP Davinder Chaudhary said. Three labourers -- Rinku (40), Debi (27) and Mangoo (32) -- consumed liquor at a vacant plot along Noorwala Road on Wednesday night. Shortly after, they lost consciousness and began frothing at the mouth. They were rushed to the civil hospital, where doctors declared them dead, police said. Earlier this month, 27 people lost their lives in Amritsar after consuming spurious liquor, in which most of the victims were daily wagers. A probe revealed that methanol -- a chemical used in industrial products -- was procured in bulk online to prepare the toxic brew.

9 held in illicit liquor case, DSP, SHO Majitha suspended: Punjab DGP

At least 14 people have died in five villages in Punjab's Amritsar after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, leading to the arrest of five accused, officials said on Tuesday. Police said six people have been hospitalised with complications caused by hooch. The deaths have occurred in five villages -- Bhangali, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Therewal and Talwandi Ghuman. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney confirmed the death of 14 people and informed reporters that Senior Superintendent of Police Maninder Singh reached the spot to take stock of the situation. Police said they have made five arrests in the incident. Those arrested have been identified as Prabhjit Singh, the main accused, Kulbir Singh, Sahib Singh, Gurjant Singh and Ninder Kaur, they said. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Excise Act, said the officials.

Schools shut in Punjab's Amritsar, Pathankot as a precautionary measure

Colleges and universities in Pathankot and Amritsar were shut on Tuesday; however, the Amritsar authorities said that the universities and colleges can conduct online classes

India set to reopen 32 airports shut during standoff with Pakistan

Civil aviation authorities have decided to reopen 32 airports that were shut for civil flight operations following last week's armed conflict between India and Pakistan, official sources said on Monday. A formal announcement regarding the resumption of operations at these airports is expected to be announced soon, the sources added. Civil flight operations from 32 airports across northern and western India, including Srinagar and Amritsar, were suspended from May 9 to May 15 due to the military standoff between India and Pakistan. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with other aviation authorities, issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civilian flight operations.

All operations at Amritsar Airport are shut; 27 airports take such steps

The closure of airports has severely disrupted air traffic, prompting Indian carriers to cancel 430 flights on Thursday, roughly 3 per cent of the country's total scheduled flights

Punjab Police busts weapon-smuggling module with links to Pakistan, 1 held

Punjab Police on Sunday said they have busted a weapon-smuggling module with alleged links to Pakistan and arrested one person from Amritsar. Seven pistols, four live cartridges and Rs 1.50 lakh have allegedly been recovered from the arrested accused. "Acting on a specific tip-off, Counter Intelligence #Amritsar busts an illegal weapon smuggling module with links to #Pakistan and arrests Abhishek Kumar from Amritsar, recovering 7 pistols (including 5 pistols of .30 bore and 2 Glock 9mm pistols), 4 live cartridges (.30 bore), and Rs 1,50,000 from his possession," Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav posted on X. He said Australia-based Jassa - "who, in close collaboration with Pakistan-based smugglers, orchestrates the smuggling of illegal arms/ammunition through the Indo-Pak border with the help of his local associates Jodhbir Singh alias Jodha and Abhishek Kumar." The DGP said preliminary investigation revealed that Abhishek Kumar and Jodhbir Singh alias Jodha are also allegedl

Gangster Happy Passia, behind 14 terror attacks in Punjab, held in US

Harpreet Singh Alias Happy Passia, a native of Ajnala tehsil in Amritsar, is closely associated with Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda

PM Modi, leaders honour Jallianwala Bagh 'martyrs' on 106th anniversary

Several other leaders also remembered the victims and the impact of the brutal massacre, which took place on April 13, 1919, during British colonial rule

Amritsar temple blast suspect shot dead in firefight with Punjab Police

A suspect in the blast incident outside a temple in Amritsar was killed in an exchange of fire with police, a top officer said on Monday. Another suspect managed to flee, he said, adding that efforts were on to nab him. A blast had occurred outside the Thakur Dwara Temple on March 15 when a person hurled an explosive device towards it, damaging a portion of its wall and shattering window panes. Punjab Police Chief Gaurav Yadav said acting on specific intelligence, Amritsar police tracked down those responsible for the attack on the temple. "Police teams tracked the suspects in Rajasansi. The accused opened fire, injuring HC Gurpreet Singh and striking Insp. Amolak Singh's turban," said Director General of Police Yadav in a post on X. "Acting in self-defence, the police party fired back, injuring the accused. He was taken to Civil Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The other accused fled, and efforts are on to arrest him," said Yadav. CCTV camera footage of the ..

Man attacks devotees with rod inside Amritsar's Golden Temple, 5 injured

An unidentified man attacked devotees with a rod at Amritsar's Golden Temple, injuring five people, including a seriously wounded Sikh youth from Bathinda; police have arrested the attacker

'Turbans thrown in dustbin': Sikh deportee recounts US detention ordeals

Deported Indian immigrant Davinder Singh recounts harrowing tales of mistreatment, with reports of inadequate food, extreme cold, and religious insensitivity

Third batch of Indian deportees from US being sent to respective states

The third batch arrived just after a day the second batch landed in Amritsar

Wanted in murder case, 2 deportees from US held after landing in Amritsar

Two youths from Rajpura in Patiala district, who were among 116 individuals deported by the US in a C-17 aircraft that landed at the Amritsar airport on Saturday night, have been arrested in connection with a murder case, police said on Sunday. The accused, Sandeep Singh alias Sunny and Pradeep Singh, were wanted in a murder case registered in 2023, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Nanak Singh, said while confirming their arrest from the Amritsar airport. The case against Sandeep and four others was registered in Rajpura in June 2023. During investigation, the name of Pradeep, another accomplice of Sandeep, was added to the FIR. A team led by the SHO of Rajpura police station was sent to the Amritsar airport on Saturday to arrest the duo. The US military aircraft carrying 116 illegal Indian immigrants, including 65 from Punjab, landed in Amritsar at 11.35 pm on Saturday. It was the second batch of Indians to be deported by the Donald Trump administration after February 5 as

'We were handcuffed', claims deportee who arrived in 2nd batch from US

A US plane carrying 116 illegal Indian immigrants landed at the Amritsar International Airport late Saturday night, official sources said. A C-17 aircraft landed at the airport around 11.35 pm as against the expected time of 10 pm, sources said. This is the second batch of such Indians to be deported by the Donald Trump administration as part of its crackdown on illegal immigrants. It was not immediately clear whether the deportees were in shackles, like the previous batch was. The deportees will be allowed to head to their homes after completion of formalities including immigration, verification, and background checks. Many from the first batch of illegal immigrants landed here on February 5, most of them, from Punjab, said they wanted to migrate to the US for a better life for their families, but were duped by their agents. Their dreams were shattered when they were caught on the US border and sent back in shackles. Earlier, there were reports that the plane would carry 119 ...

'Why only Amritsar?' Mann asks Centre over US deportation flight decision

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann questioned the Centre's decision to select Amritsar as the landing site, suggesting it was politically motivated

Punjab Police busts terror module near Amritsar airport, 3 arrested

The police recovered one AK-47, a few rounds, a pistol of 0.3 bore and one of 0.32 bore with cartridges from them

Hands cuffed, legs chained: Deportees share details of US flight to India

Deported Indians claim they were handcuffed and had their legs chained during a US military flight back to Amritsar, describing the experience as humiliating and deeply distressing

US military aircraft carrying deported Indians lands at Amritsar airport

US flight carrying 104 deported Indian migrants lands in Amritsar

The deportation comes after US President Donald Trump, who took office last month, intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration