Punjab

Heavy rain in Chandigarh and Punjab; IMD issues orange alert in 13 districts as rivers swell

Heavy rain in Chandigarh and Punjab; IMD issues orange alert in 13 districts as rivers swell

National Times Bureau :- Chandigarh witnessed heavy rainfall since early Monday morning, bringing a noticeable drop in temperature and relief from recent humidity. Similar weather conditions were reported in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Amritsar,  where morning downpours led to waterlogging in several low-lying areas. Mohali is also likely to witness a strong likelihood of more rain throughout the day. Meanwhile, in Sri Anandpur Sahib’s Gambirpur village, hailstorm activity was reported around 1 am. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for 13 districts in Punjab, warning of heavy rainfall due to an active Western Disturbance. According to weather…
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Election Commission likely to announce Bihar poll dates today

Election Commission likely to announce Bihar poll dates today

National Times Bureau :- The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the schedule for the 18th Bihar Legislative Assembly elections today at 3 PM. All 243 assembly seats, including two reserved for STs and 38 for SCs, will go to polls before the term of the current Assembly ends on November 22, 2025. The poll body will address from the Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital, it said in an official release. The announcement comes after a detailed two-day review of Bihar’s election preparedness by Election Commission of India (ECI) officials. Ahead of the upcoming polls, the ECI…
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Punjab on High Alert as Rainfall and Dam Releases Raise Flood Concerns

Punjab on High Alert as Rainfall and Dam Releases Raise Flood Concerns

Punjab (Gurpreet Singh): Several parts of Punjab are bracing for possible flooding as a combination of persistent rainfall and increased water discharge from major dams pushes river levels higher. The weather department has issued a heavy rain alert for multiple districts, prompting state authorities to ramp up preparedness measures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for 13 districts across the state. These include key areas such as Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Mohali, and Jalandhar, where rainfall activity is expected to intensify. A yellow alert has been issued for the remaining districts, with wind speeds expected to…
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Punjab CM Lays Foundation Stone for Heritage Walkway in Sri Anandpur Sahib

Punjab CM Lays Foundation Stone for Heritage Walkway in Sri Anandpur Sahib

Sri Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, October 5, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a heritage walkway in the sacred city of Sri Anandpur Sahib. The project, aimed at enhancing religious tourism, will be developed at a cost of Rs 25 crore and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister described the holy city as a historic landmark where Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth on Baisakhi, 1699. He said Punjabis continue to draw both spiritual and physical strength from the site and take…
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Wildlife Week Day 4: Over 200 Runners Join “Run for the Wild” at Chhatbir Zoo

Wildlife Week Day 4: Over 200 Runners Join “Run for the Wild” at Chhatbir Zoo

Chandigarh, October 5, 2025: The fourth day of Wildlife Week celebrations at Chhatbir Zoo began on an energetic note with “Run for the Wild,” a special marathon dedicated to wildlife conservation. More than 200 participants took part in 5 km and 10 km runs to spread awareness about protecting wildlife and preserving biodiversity.The event was organized in collaboration with running groups such as National Flag Runners, Daudta Punjab, Hansali-Run, Patiala Runners, and Fit-Club. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Punjab, Dharminder Sharma (IFS), flagged off the run and later presented awards to the winners. Adding…
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Rajinder Gupta Named AAP Candidate for Rajya Sabha Seat from Punjab

Rajinder Gupta Named AAP Candidate for Rajya Sabha Seat from Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced industrialist Rajinder Gupta as its nominee for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in Punjab, confirming days of speculation about his possible entry into national politics. Gupta, a leading entrepreneur and founder of the Trident Group, has been a well-known figure in Punjab’s business and development circles. His nomination comes after he stepped down from key advisory posts in the state government, including the vice-chairmanship of the Economic Policy and Planning Board. He also resigned as chairperson of the advisory committee of the Kali Devi temple in Patiala, hinting at a…
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Rajya Sabha Bypoll: Industrialist Rajinder Gupta Likely to Get AAP Ticket from Punjab

Rajya Sabha Bypoll: Industrialist Rajinder Gupta Likely to Get AAP Ticket from Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to nominate prominent businessman Rajinder Gupta for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in Punjab, party sources indicated on Sunday. The election, set for October 24, comes in the wake of Sanjeev Arora’s resignation from the Upper House following his election as an MLA. Gupta, who heads the Trident Group as its chairman emeritus, has recently stepped down from two significant roles in the state — as vice-chairman of the Punjab State Economic Policy and Planning Board, and as head of the Kali Devi temple advisory committee. His exit from these…
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Punjab Police Foils Cross-Border Smuggling Attempt, Arms and Drugs Seized

Punjab Police Foils Cross-Border Smuggling Attempt, Arms and Drugs Seized

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): In a major success against transnational criminal activity, the Counter Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police in Amritsar has exposed a cross-border network involved in smuggling arms and narcotics. Two suspects — Gurjant Singh and Gurvel Singh, both hailing from Tarn Taran — have been taken into custody during the operation. The crackdown, based on actionable intelligence, led to the recovery of 2.5 kilograms of heroin and five advanced pistols complete with magazines. Officials say the consignment had been smuggled from across the international border and was intended for distribution among criminal groups operating within Punjab. Preliminary interrogation…
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Four Named in NIA Chargesheet Over Grenade Attack on Former Punjab Minister’s Home

Four Named in NIA Chargesheet Over Grenade Attack on Former Punjab Minister’s Home

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against four individuals linked to the grenade attack that targeted the residence of former Punjab minister Manoranjan Kalia earlier this year in Jalandhar. Among those named are two arrested suspects, Saidul Ameen from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, and Abhijot Jangra of Kurukshetra, Haryana. Two others — Kulbir Singh Sidhu from Yamunanagar and Manish, alias Kaka Rana, of Karnal — are currently on the run. The accused face multiple charges under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the Explosive Substances Act. The incident…
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Punjab Police Bust Inter-District Ice Drug Network, Three Held with Nearly 1 Kg Crystal Meth

Punjab Police Bust Inter-District Ice Drug Network, Three Held with Nearly 1 Kg Crystal Meth

Ferozepur, October 4, 2025: Punjab’s shifting drug landscape has taken a more dangerous turn, with addicts increasingly replacing heroin, tablets, and capsules with Ice the street name for crystal methamphetamine, a powerful synthetic stimulant. Officials warn that Ice is even more harmful than heroin, as it heightens brain-to-body communication speed and is often consumed through smoking or injection, significantly raising the risk of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C. In extreme cases, overdose can prove fatal.Despite consistent awareness campaigns and intensified police action against drug trafficking, the growing recovery of Ice across Punjab has become a serious concern for law…
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