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Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pak drones target army bases in Pathankot, Jalandhar; neutralised
Pakistan on late Thursday launched drone and rocket attacks targeting key military facilities in Punjab's Pathankot and Jalandhar. In Bathinda, the Indian forces foiled drone attacks by Pakistan. Bathinda deputy commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray said that a few drones were spotted which were neutralised. 'No damage was reported in the district,' he added. Residents spotted at least two empty shells of explosive devices lodged by Pakistani drones at Lal Singh Basti and Bir Talab Basti-4, located on Bathinda's periphery. The Indian Air Force has alerted the Punjab government of a possible air attack by Pakistan. Apart from attacking defence establishments, Pakistan also tried to target Ranjit Sagar Dam and Pathankot military station. In Pathankot district, some locals claimed they heard an explosion-like sound. 'Loud blasts were heard at Matti Kot village near Ranjit Sagar Dam, and Gharmata near the Pathankot Cantonment Area. The airbase at Pathankot was also targeted,' said Chander, a local resident of Pathankot. 'Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir today,' a defence ministry spokesperson said. 'The threats were swiftly neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in line with established standard operating procedures (SOPs),' he said, adding no casualties or material losses were reported. Anticipating the attack, the district administration has already declared blackouts in 16 districts of Punjab, including Fazilka, Ferozepur, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Bathinda, Sangrur, Mohali, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Barnala, Muktsar and Patiala districts. The blackout in Mohali, Ludhiana Rupnagar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Muktsar is partial. Another resident of Pathankot, Jasdeep Singh, also confirmed the strikes by Pakistan, saying that the situation is alarming as loud blasts have been heard on more than three occasions. 'We appreciate that the air defence system of India has defused the missiles in the air,' he said. In the evening, Pakistani missiles also attacked defence establishments located in Jalandhar. Deputy commissioner, Jalandhar, Himanshu Aggarwal confirmed that the drone attacks were carried in near PAP headquarters and Sooramusi area, a Jalandhar Cantonment area. 'Our armed forces are taking care of most of things and they have neutralised most of the drones. We all should support them and help in adhering to the protocol of blackout as well as prevention of fake news/videos/msgs that can spread panic amongst common people. Civilian population is not being targeted as per official information. So please don't worry and be calm,' the DC said. 'The situation is under control, but it's a fact that Pakistan is targeting the Punjab border. Air Force officers have been alerted of possible attacks. We are following the Government of India and state government guidelines to ensure the safety of residents,' said a senior official. Another senior official said the Centre has asked the state government to enable communication systems directly linked with satellites. 'We are directed to buy and use satellite phones,' he said. The border area DCs have been asked to build bunkers to function during emergency situations. The Punjab government on Thursday directed all deputy commissioners to remain alert and coordinate with the defence forces. The home department has been asked to align with the NDRF, while the food department has been tasked with ensuring the smooth availability of grains in every border district.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IELTS centres in Bathinda close biz after changes in Canada's immigration policies
1 2 Bathinda: As the changes in immigration policies by the Canadian govt have seriously affected student visas and post-graduate work permits (PGWP), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) centres here are shutting down. Many involved in the business due to the heavy rush of youths aiming to visit Canada are now turning towards other ventures, as the immigration business is no longer lucrative. The trend can be gauged from the fact that the Bathinda district administration cancelled the licences of six such centres upon the written requests of the centre owners, even though the licences were valid until as late as 2028. The licences were cancelled under Section 8(1) of the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act, 2013, which outlines the procedure for surrendering a travel agent's licence. It states that a licensed travel agent can surrender their licence by giving two months' notice to the competent authority. Once the notice period expires, the licence is automatically cancelled. When there was a rush of students to Canada, such centres mushroomed in every nook and corner of even small towns. They had even appeared in villages. Bathinda, after Jalandhar and Moga, was considered a hub for such centres, and students from far-off places used to visit Bathinda daily to receive coaching. Even the PGs mushroomed in hundreds. However, after the changes in immigration policies, a lot changed, and centres have started closing down, affecting many ancillary businesses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ranger Sees Strange Creature On Riverbank. He Says, 'Oh My God,' When He Realizes What It Really Is Cleverst Undo Bathinda deputy commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray said the owners of six centres applied for the cancellation of licences under the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act. E-School, run by Rupinder Singh, had an IELTS licence until Dec 14, 2027. Language Seekers, run by Amandeep Singh, had an IELTS licence until April 12, 2028. Likewise, Sky Feather had an IELTS licence until Nov 10, 2027. EFS Global had a licence for consultancy and IELTS until July 1, 2026. Sky Dreams had an IELTS licence until Oct 9, 2027. The Leaf IELTS and Immigration had a licence for consultancy, IELTS, and ticketing until Sept 2, 2028. The operators stated that they closed their respective centres and wanted to exit the business, requesting the cancellation of their licences. While their licences have been cancelled, the centre operators are liable to address the complaints, if any, against them. MSID:: 120698795 413 |
