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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Amid talk of another mock drill, Punjab's border villages stay on alert
The Punjab government has yet to finalise the dates for conducting the mock drill or civil defence exercise under Operation Shield. Still, the mood along the state's international border is one of preparedness and resilience, with villagers saying they are willing to cooperate if another drill is announced. Punjab shares a 553 km-long border with Pakistan, spanning six districts: Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Fazilka, and Ferozepur. The border districts were on high alert during India's military face-off with Pakistan following the launch of Operation Sindoor after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Tensions eased after both countries agreed to a ceasefire. 'The ceasefire happened on May 10, but we are still on alert,' said Paramjit Singh from Pakka Chisti village in Fazilka. 'Most of our family members are staying in Fazilka city, while I go to the fields that are just metres away from the border. Life seems normal, but one needs to always stay alert. Who else can understand this better than a border villager?' He added, 'Our village still maintains the discipline of returning home early. Street lights were only switched on this week. If there is another mock drill, let it happen—we are ready. But we hope it is just precautionary; no nation can afford conflict right now.' Until last week, villagers of Kadar Baksh village in Fazilka district had been sleeping nearly 10 km away from their homes. They used to come back during the day for work and lock up their homes in the evening, as the village is located just 400 metres away from the international border. However, they have now returned, sources said. 'After the announcement of this exercise (the mock drill), people are tense… as if something big is going to happen again. We wish for peace to prevail as in modern-day wars, civilians are at equal risk as our forces, as drones and missiles target civilian areas too, be it in a city or a village,' Gurpreet Singh from Patti Sadik village in Fazilka said. In Bhakra village of Gatti Rajoke block in Ferozepur district, Vanjar Singh said that people in cities were more alert than villagers now. 'Drones went deep into urban areas like Ferozepur, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, and Pathankot. So life is risky for all, not just us. We have bunkers in nearby areas and are used to adversities. After Operation Sindoor, we sent women and children to our relatives' houses. But now, after seeing drones strike anywhere, we are going to stay put—unless the Army asks us to move,' Vanjar said. 'After the ceasefire, we heard dhol beats from the other side of the border. In response, we played Sidhu Moosewala songs on loudspeakers and held a tractor march. After that, it has been quiet from across the border,' he added. Vishal Singh from Chak Amir village in Bamiyal block of Pathankot district said the villagers were ready to follow the instructions once issued. 'Street lights were turned on only recently. From May 7 to May 10, we could hear blast sounds—but nothing came toward our side,' he added. Pargat Singh from Mehdipur village in Amritsar supported regular mock drills, saying, 'These drills are necessary to keep volunteers ready—whether it is a war-like scenario or a natural disaster.' Paro Bai from Tindiwala village in Ferozepur echoed a similar view. 'The siren systems and evacuation drives must be tested regularly. Any blackout being conducted is likely to be a system check and a test of official coordination,' Bai added. According to sources, during the heightened tensions in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, sirens in many districts of Punjab did not function properly as they had not been used for decades. Operation Shield: New dates yet to be announced The government is likely to conduct a state-wide mock drill and blackout under Operation Shield once the dates are finalised. Citizens will be instructed to switch off all the lights and stay indoors, while mock sirens and emergency response teams will be activated. The operation is designed to prepare both civilians and authorities for coordinated responses in the event of aerial threats or emergencies, especially in light of increased drone activity in border states. The mock drill was scheduled to take place on May 29 but was postponed due to administrative reasons. While initially, the Punjab government had said that the drill would be held on June 3, a press statement issued late Wednesday evening said that the new dates for the exercise would be announced later. Leaders visit border villages Meanwhile, Jai Inder Kaur, president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, visited border villages in Fazilka on Wednesday to interact with residents and understand their concerns. She was accompanied by Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar. 'We visited many villages close to the international border and heard their grievances. We will take up their issues with higher authorities,' Jakhar said. The issues raised were related to compensation for crop loss on land across the barbed wire, farming restrictions, lack of employment opportunities, etc.
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- India Gazette
Gangster linked to Dilpreet Baba Gang injured in Jalandhar encounter
Jalandhar (Punjab) [India], May 20 (ANI): A gangster linked to the Dilpreet Baba gang was injured in a police encounter with Jalandhar Rural Police near Kalra village in Adampur. The accused has been identified as Paramjit Singh alias Pamma, a resident of Binjon village, Hoshiarpur. He is reportedly involved in more than 15 criminal cases. According to police officials, a team led by DSP (Detective) Inderjit Singh set up a checkpoint at Kalra village based on a tip-off. On spotting the police, the accused tried to flee and opened fire. In retaliation, the police fired back, injuring him in the leg. SSP (Rural) Harvinder Singh Virk also arrived at the scene following the encounter. Two pistols and a large quantity of narcotics were recovered from the accused, who was traveling in a Bolero pickup. Further investigation is underway. Earlier, In a significant counter-espionage operation, Gurdaspur Police thwarted an attempt to compromise national security by apprehending two persons involved in leaking sensitive military information. On May 15, credible intelligence inputs indicated that Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh were engaged in sharing classified details related to Operation Sindoor, including troop movements and key strategic locations in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, & Jammu and Kashmir - with Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. Acting swiftly, the police has arrested both suspects. Forensic examination of their mobile phones has confirmed the intelligence inputs. The police team has also recovered 3 mobile phones and 8 live cartridges (.30 bore) from their possession. Preliminary findings establish that the accused were in direct contact with ISI handlers and had transmitted critical information concerning the Indian Armed Forces. FIR has been registered under the Official Secrets Act at PS Dorangala. The investigation continues, and more disclosures are expected as the probe deepens. The Punjab Police said it stands strong with the Indian Army and remains unwavering in its duty to safeguard national interests. Any attempt to undermine the security of the armed forces will be met with firm and immediate action. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Gangster of Dilpreet Baba gang injured in Jalandhar police encounter
A gangster linked to the Dilpreet Baba gang was injured in a police encounter with Jalandhar Rural police near Kalra village in Adampur on Tuesday. The accused, Paramjit Singh, alias Pamma, who belonged to Binjon village in Hoshiarpur district, suffered a bullet injury in a leg and is hospitalised. Senior superintendent of Harvinder Singh Virk said 19 cases under various sections of theft, dacoity, drug smuggling and the Arms Act were registered against Paramjit Singh in police stations across Jalandhar district. A team led by DSP (detective) Inderjit Singh set up a checkpoint at Kalra village on the Adampur-Mehtiana road early in the morning based on a tip-off. 'Around 6am, the police team signalled the driver of a Mahindra Bolero SUV to stop for checking. Instead of slowing down, the accused tried to run over the police personnel. He lost control of the vehicle and hit a roadside signage before opening fire at the police team, which retaliated, injuring him in a leg,' Virk said. Two illegal .32 pistols, live cartridges and 15gm of heroin from the aide of notorious gangster Dilpreet Singh Dahan, alias Dilpreet Baba. The vehicle was also found to be stolen. A case has been registered under Sections of 109 (attempt to murder) of the BNS and other sections of the NDPS Act and Arms Act.
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Four ‘illegal' houses of drug smugglers razed in Moga
Four 'illegally' constructed houses of notorious drug smugglers were demolished by police and district administration officials at Daulewala village in Moga here on Saturday, according to an official statement. The action, under the supervision of Moga senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ajay Gandhi, was taken as part of the Punjab government's continuing action against drug smugglers under its 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign. 'The demolished houses, illegally built on government land, belonged to notorious drug smugglers Paramjit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Boota Singh and Rajwinder Kaur, who were involved in multiple cases registered under the provisions of Indian Penal Code and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,' the statement said. 'Strong action by the district police sends a clear message that chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government has zero tolerance for drug-trafficking,' it added. SSP Ajay Gandhi warned the drug smugglers to stop illegal activities or face similar action. He reiterated that the state government is committed to eradicating the drug menace and will not spare anyone involved in this illegal trade. Ajay Gandhi appealed to the people to report any information about drug smugglers to the nearest police station
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Widow, children of kabaddi player awarded ₹34-lakh relief
Nearly a year after kabaddi player Paramjit Singh, alias Pamma Sohana, lost his life in a car accident in Mohali in May 2024, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded a ₹34-lakh compensation to his widow and two children. In the order, tribunal's presiding officer Atul Kasana directed Gurpreet Singh of Sangrur, who was booked for the car crash on May 29 last year, and the National Insurance Company Limited to pay ₹34,07,100 to the family. 'The accident took place due to rash and negligent driving of car bearing registration number PB-01-D-9402 by Gurpreet Singh. A perusal of the insurance policy proved on record that the said vehicle was insured with the company at the time of the accident. Therefore, both the respondents are held liable to pay the compensation to the claimants,' the order read. It further mentioned that the respondent number 2 (insurance firm) is liable to indemnify the insured — respondent number 1 (accused) — and as such, liable to make payment of compensation awarded. Parmeet Kaur, 36, widow of Paramjit Singh, along with his daughter Gurbani Kaur, 9, and three-year-old son Sarover Singh, all residents of Sohana village, Mohali, had filed the claim against Gurpreet Singh and the insurance company, seeking ₹1 crore. The tribunal ordered the respondents to pay 50% of the total compensation to Parmeet Kaur and 25% each to Gurbani Kaur and Sarover Singh. As per case files, the mishap took place on May 29, 2024, when Parmeet Kaur, Paramjit Singh and his brother Karamjit Singh were out to attend a family function. While returning, Pamma's friend sat in the Mahindra Scorpio car that was being driven by the former. Pamma's wife along with kids sat in the car of her brother-in-law. Near Amity School Chowk of Sector 79, Mohali, when Pamma was about to cross the road, the accused in a Honda Amaze car came from Chandigarh side in a 'rash and negligent manner' and struck the car of the deceased around 10.45 pm, resulting in Pamma's death. Gurpreet had allegedly fled at that time. The Sohana police had slapped Sections 304-A, 279 and 427 of the IPC on hims. The claimants averred that at the time of accident, the deceased was 34 years old. The deceased was to participate in the World Kabbadi Cup in Canada in June 2024.
