13062026-ATR-01.qxd 6/12/2026 11:30 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 39°C | MIN 21°C STORM CAUSES ~2 CR DAMAGE TO POWERCOM IN TARN TARAN ARTIST PORTRAYS NATURE, TRIBAL LIFE IN MONOCHROMATIC ART AKSHAY KUMAR SHARES HIS TAKE ON RETIREMENT A storm that hit Tarn Taran district caused damage worth more than Rs 2 crore to powercom. P2 Human figures emerge quietly from texture and shadow, telling their stories without words. P3 Akshay Kumar believes that a person should take retirement only a few seconds before death. P4 » » » SUNSET SATURDAY 7.36 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5.24 AM SATURDAY | 13 JUNE 2026 | AMRITSAR Squall wreaks havoc across three border districts, 1dead Police raze property of drug peddler in anti-drug drive Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar, June 12 Amid the ongoing crackdown on drug traffickers, the Amritsar police on Friday demolished an allegedly illegally acquired property belonging to a habitual drug peddler, identified as Sukhdev Singh, alias Akash (28). The property was located in Fakeer Colony in the Anngarh area, which is notorious for rampant drug peddling and substance abuse. According to the police, six criminal cases under the NDPS Act and three preventive action proceedings have been registered against him over the past several years. He was released from jail on April 8. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Sukhdev Singh had been involved in multiple cases related to heroin trafficking and other narcotics offences registered at the Gate Hakima and Sultanwind police stations. He said the demolition forms part of a sustained campaign targeting properties allegedly acquired through proceeds of drug-related crimes. The police said Friday’s action marked the 25th demolition carried out against properties linked to drug smugglers in the district as part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign. Detailing seizures made under the anti-drug campaign between January 1 and June 11, 2026, Bhullar said the police had registered 877 NDPS cases and arrested 1,481 accused. The operations led to the recovery of 85.175 kg of heroin, 11.438 kg of methamphetamine (ICE) and Rs 25.84 lakh in drug money. In addition, 31 vehicles allegedly used in drug trafficking have been seized, he added. — TNS Grenade probe leads to recovery of 7 weapons A car damaged by a tree along the Jamun Wali road near Government Medical College in Amritsar. Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 12 A squall triggered by a powerful thunderstorm accompanied by high-velocity winds wreaked havoc across Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur districts on Thursday, leaving a widespread trail of destruction. The storm damaged electricity infrastructure, uprooted a large number of trees, disrupted traffic and claimed one life. According to preliminary estimates, the storm damaged around 718 electricity transformers and 4,343 power poles across the three border districts. Chief Engineer (Powercom) Surinder Kumar said the department suffered extensive losses to the distribution network, including transformers, conductors and cables, worth nearly Rs 9 crore. He added that details regarding damage to 66 kV and 220 kV transmission lines were still being compiled. Winds reaching speeds of 50-80 kmph in some areas snapped overhead power lines and uprooted trees across urban and rural regions, resulting in prolonged power outages. Emergency teams of PSPCL have been working round the clock to restore electricity supply and repair damaged infrastructure. The storm also proved fatal for one person in the Namak Mandi area of the city. He died after a wall collapsed on him during the squall. Several major roads, including Race Course Road, Maqbool Road and stretches in Ranjit Avenue, witnessed traffic disruptions due to uprooted trees and fallen branches. Heavy delays were reported as debris blocked key city routes. The Amritsar Municipal Corporation launched an extensive restoration and clearance operation immediately after the storm. Acting on directions from the Mayor and the MC Commissioner, teams from the Horticulture Department were deployed at multiple locations across the city. Estate Officer Shushant Bhatia said various teams, led by MC officials Yadwinder Singh, Raghunandan, and Kulwant Singh, cleared fallen trees and restored traffic movement at the Lawrence Road near BBK DAV College, Nayyar Hospital Chowk, outside Trillium Mall, Company Bagh, Gole Bagh, Mata Kaulan Marg, Green Avenue, Lohgarh Chowk and several other affected locations. Officials said complaints received from Green Avenue were promptly resolved, while issues related to power infrastructure were referred to PSPCL for immediate action. The Hathi GateLohgarh Road stretch and other major routes were reopened after extensive clearance work. Five illegal colonies demolished as ADA intensifies enforcement New ADC Surinder Singh takes charge Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 12 The Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised real estate developments, demolishing five illegally developed colonies in different parts of the district as part of a major enforcement drive. The District Town Planner (Regulatory) Wing carried out demolition action against five unauthorised colonies being developed in Ball Kalan village, Pandori Waraich on Majitha Road, and Ball Khurd village on the Amritsar-Fatehgarh Churian Road. According to officials, the colonies had been developed without obtaining the mandatory approvals required under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), 1995. Notices were served on the developers and construction activities were ordered to be stopped. However, despite repeated warnings, development work allegedly continued at the sites, prompting the authority to initiate demolition proceedings. The District Town Planner said the demolition action was approved on June 9 as part of ongoing efforts to regulate urban growth and curb unauthorised development. He alleged that the colonisers ignored official notices and continued construction instead of providing the required clarifications to the department. Amritsar, June 12 Senior Punjab Civil Services officer Surinder Singh on Friday assumed charge as Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development), Amritsar. Prior to his new posting, he was serving as Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) in Tarn Taran district. Surinder Singh is no stranger to the Amritsar administration, having previously served as Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) in the district and as Additional Commissioner of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation. His return is expected to strengthen the implementation of rural development projects and public welfare schemes across the district. Soon after taking charge, he assured residents that all public grievances and official matters would be addressed promptly, fairly, and without unnecessary delay. He emphasised that citizens would not face inconvenience in getting their legitimate work completed. “If any person encounters difficulty in getting his or her work done, they may approach me directly without hesitation,” Surinder Singh said. The newly appointed ADC further stated that the benefits of government welfare schemes would be delivered to every eligible and deserving beneficiary in a timely and transparent manner. The District Town Planner (Regulatory) Wing of the ADA employs a JCB to demolish an illegal colony in Amritsar. Officials further stated that one unauthorised colony in Ball Khurd had previously been served multiple notices and construction work had been halted several times. Despite these measures, development activity reportedly continued. Although demolition had been ordered earlier, the operation could not be carried out due to a large public gathering and the non-availability of adequate police personnel. The authority later returned to the site and completed the demolition exercise. The ADA also warned that under the amended provisions of the PAPRA Act, 1995 (2024 amendment), individuals involved in developing unauthorised colonies can face imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years and fines between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 5 crore. The authority said it is writing to the police department, based on revenue records, seeking legal action against landowners and developers involved in such projects. Issuing a public advisory, the Regulatory Wing urged residents not to purchase plots in colonies that have not been approved by the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) or the competent authority. Prospective buyers have been advised to verify approval documents and check the list of unauthorised colonies available on the ADA website before investing in any property. The authority also appealed to the public to obtain all necessary permissions from the department concerned before undertaking any construction activity, warning that violations could result in strict legal and demolition action. c m y b Amritsar, June 12 In the ongoing investigation into the seizure of two hand grenades, the Amritsar Rural Police have recovered seven weapons, including three Glock pistols allegedly smuggled from Pakistan, following disclosures made by two accused arrested in the case. Meanwhile, the police have recovered a mobile phone from Harwant Singh, alias Harry, an alleged operative of the banned organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), whose name surfaced during the interrogation of Rajwinder Singh and Davinder Singh, both residents of Tarn Taran, who were arrested with the two hand grenades. Kanwalpreet Singh, SSP , Amritsar (Rural), said a separate case has been registered against Harry following the recovery of the mobile phone from his cell at the Amritsar Central Jail. He alleged that Harry was in contact with foreign-based gangsters-turnedterrorists Happy Passia and Manu Agwan, as well as their ISI-backed Pakistani handlers. The investigation revealed Two suspects in the custody of the police in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR POLICE, BSF SEIZE OVER 3 KG HEROIN Meanwhile, the Amritsar Rural Police, in a joint operation with the Border Security Force (BSF), recovered 3.50 kg of heroin allegedly dropped by a drone in the Gharinda police station area. During the investigation, the police arrested the accused, identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, a resident of Muhawa village located near the International Border with Pakistan. DSP Yadwinder Singh alleged that the accused had got the contraband smuggled through his Pakistani associates. He said efforts were underway to establish his backward and forward linkages. that in April 2026, Pakistani operatives established communication with Harry through his overseas associates, including Passia, to expand their arms smuggling network in Punjab. However, due to heightened security restrictions inside the jail, Harry allegedly used Davin- der Singh and Rajwinder Singh as intermediaries to execute plans and maintain contact with the network. The SSP disclosed that, apart from the two hand grenades, the police have so far recovered seven pistols, including three Glock pistols. Efforts are underway to formally arrest Harry in the case by bringing him on a production warrant from the Amritsar Central Jail. He said the police expect further significant disclosures as the investigation progresses.