MC writes to Local Bodies Dept for approval of award compensation

Decks cleared for direct path to martyr Sukhdev’s ancestral house

MC writes to Local Bodies Dept for approval of award compensation

Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, Updated At : 08:57 AM Apr 10, 2025 IST

Martyr Sukhdev Thapar’s house at Naughara Mohalla in Ludhiana on Wednesday. Ashwani Dhiman

The Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, has finally taken steps to provide direct access to the ancestral house of martyr Sukhdev Thapar in Naughara Mohalla. After a demand made by the martyr’s kin for the past one decade, the corporation has approached the Additional Chief Secretary of the Local Bodies Department to approve the award compensation for the acquisition of 44.50 sq yards of land.

As per information, the SDM, Ludhiana East-cum-Land Acquisition Collector, has prepared an award of Rs 33.01 lakh for the acquisition of the property. Officials have asked for immediate release of the amount so that the acquisition can be expedited.

Notably, the direct access path will enable people to reach the martyr’s ancestral house without trouble. At present, those who wanted to visit his house have to go through narrow lanes. Only two-wheelers can reach the place but with the direct access, the people can directly reach the house in four-wheelers from Chaura Bazaar by covering a distance of 100 m only.

The kin of Sukhdev Thapar had been fighting for the direct access for over a decade. The process started during the previous Congress regime but the progress was slow.

Ashok Thapar, president of the Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust, expressed relief that the process was moving forward. He hopes the authorities would clear all hurdles, emphasising that it was not only for one person but also for future generations to learn about the martyr’s contribution to country’s freedom struggle.

The development has brought joy to the kin of the martyr, who have been working tirelessly to preserve the legacy of the freedom fighter. The direct access path will not only provide a convenient route to the ancestral house but also help promote tourism and cultural awareness about the martyr’s life and contributions.

Ashok Thapar further asserted that the Municipal Corporation’s decision to provide direct access to the ancestral house of Sukhdev Thapar was a significant step towards preserving the history and cultural heritage of the region. It was expected that the development would have a positive impact on the local community and will help promote a sense of pride and ownership among residents.

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19.2 km road passing through areas of Punjab, Haryana to cost Rs 1,878 crore

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal to build 19-km Zirakpur bypass in Punjab and Haryana. To be built at a cost of Rs 1,878.31 crore, the project will help ease traffic congestion at Zirakpur, which is the entry point to Chandigarh from Ambala side.

The six-lane bypass will start from the junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) and end at the junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo). It will be of a total length 19.2 km passing through areas of Punjab and Haryana.

The project is aimed at easing traffic congestion in Zirakpur, Panchkula and surrounding areas by diverting vehicles coming from Patiala, Delhi and Mohali Aerocity to the bypass, and providing a direct connectivity to Himachal Pradesh.

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was seriously injured after an IED planted ahead of the security fence along the border with Pakistan detonated in Gurdaspur while a patrol was trying to defuse it. BSF officials said while the recovery…

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was seriously injured after an IED planted ahead of the security fence along the border with Pakistan detonated in Gurdaspur while a patrol was trying to defuse it.

BSF officials said while the recovery of drones, narcotics and weapons in the vicinity of the fence was frequent, the detection of IEDs was rare.

The incident occurred on the intervening night of April 8 and 9 while an area domination patrol was being conducted. The BSF has issued an alert along the 553-km border in Punjab and is reviewing its patrolling procedurestaking into account the possibility of more IEDs being planted in border areas. A technical and forensic examination of the seized IED components was being undertaken and appropriate action would be initiated after the report was submitted, sources said.

The BSF patrol detected suspicious items well inside the Indian territory. During the operation, the troops identified a suspected IED planted ahead of the fence, indicating an attempt to target the security forces and farmers, a BSF officer said.

The patrolling was aimed at dominating the area and ensuring the safety of troops, defence personnel and farmers who frequently traversed and plied on that route during the day.

Inspection revealed a network of concealed wires in the fields, confirming the presence of multiple IEDs. While cordoning off and sanitising the area, a concealed detonating device of the IEDs accidentally got triggered, resulting in serious injuries to a BSF jawan on the legs.

Despite the inherent risks, the troops continued their operation, successfully securing the area and preventing a potentially massive tragedy to the force personnel and farmers, he added.

The border in Punjab has also been witnessing a large number of drone incursions from Pakistan that smuggle in narcotics, arms and ammunition as well as fake currency.

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A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah concluded his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, two encounters between security forces and terrorists began in the mountainous areas of Udhampur and Kishtwar districts. Both encounters commenced on Wednesday following human…

A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah concluded his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, two encounters between security forces and terrorists began in the mountainous areas of Udhampur and Kishtwar districts.

Both encounters commenced on Wednesday following human intelligence inputs provided by locals to the J&K Police and the Army.

An Udhampur police official reported that during a search operation in Jopher village, at least two to three terrorists were trapped when a gunfight broke out. The area falls under the jurisdiction of the Ramnagar police station.

In Kishtwar, the encounter began in the forest area of Naidgam in Chatroo when security forces launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of three terrorists.

According to information, both groups of terrorists belong to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit and are believed to have recently infiltrated from Pakistan. It is learned that the groups are highly trained and equipped with sophisticated weapons, including AK-series rifles.

It is believed the terrorists were hiding in forested areas in both districts. Security forces have intensified search operations in recent weeks, during which three encounters have already taken place in the Kathua district.

Security forces defuse IED in Kupwara

The security forces on Wednesday averted a tragedy by detecting and defusing an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing 8 kg in Kupwara district. During a routine patrol in the Hafroda forest area of Handwara in the north Kashmir district, the security forces found a suspicious object on the roadside, the officials said. A closer inspection revealed that the suspicious object was an IED. The area was cordoned off and a bomb disposal squad called to the spot, they said. The squad later destroyed the IED without causing any damage, the officials added.

CCS clears proposal to buy aircraft from France

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

The Indian Navy will get French-origin Rafale-Marine fighter jets for its aircraft carriers, the deal expanding the force’s arc of offensive operations at sea and adding new capabilities such as long-range precision-strike missiles to hit ships and air targets.

In the event of a crisis, the Rafale-M jets can also be deployed to Indian Air Force (IAF) bases along the northern borders to bolster the IAF fleet of 36 Rafales.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the purchase of 26 Rafale-M jets. These aircraft will be procured from French aviation major Dassault at a cost of Rs 63,000 crore, according to sources.

Can also bolster air force fighter fleet

• Rafale-M jets can augment the fleet of IAF’s Rafales
• Is capable of carrying Scalp-EG, a 650-km-range missile
• Will be deployed on indigenous carrier INS Vikrant
• To include 22 single-seater and four twin-seater jets

Deliveries are expected to commence three years after the contract is signed. The entire fleet is anticipated to be with the Navy by 2031. The deal includes weapons, simulator, spares, associated ancillary equipment, crew training and logistics support for the Navy. This will include India-specific add-ons such as establishing a maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) hub, integration of India’s own Astra missile and sourcing from local suppliers.

The Rafale-M is capable of carrying ‘Scalp-EG’, a 650-km-range cruise missile. The jets, 22 single-seater and four twin-seater variants, will be deployed primarily on board indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

The Rafale-M purchase is one of the biggest military orders placed by the country after a tender was floated to get 97 Tejas Mark1A jets for Rs 65,000 crore. There were immediate comparisons on the social media of the price difference between the deals for Rafale-M and the IAF’s purchase of 36 Rafales for Rs 59,000 crore in 2016.

Operationally, the Rafale-M, like naval jets, have reinforced landing gears as a jet landing on an aircraft carrier mid-sea does not have the luxury of a long runway to stall. Like the Navy’s existing Russian-origin MiG-29K fighter jets, Rafale-M features foldable wings. This allows more planes to be parked in the hanger below the carrier’s deck as 25 per cent of the wings get folded.

The Rafale-M is a major jet upgrade for the naval forces after the MiG-29K planes joined its fleet in 2011. Of the 45 MiG-29K jets imported at a cost of $2 billion, five have crashed while the remaining operate from the INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant. A few of the MiG-29K jets were forward located from their home base at INS Hansa to Adampur during the stand-off with China.

Maj Gen(Retd) Navneet Kumar,SM shares the army’s perspective on Col Pushpinder Bath

Another Case of Army personnel in Uniform : no assistance from Punjab Govt : listen to vedio

Constable Amandip Kaur was caught with illegal substance

Sukhpal Khaira, MLA and former Leader of the Opposition in Punjab, has called for an independent and impartial investigation— preferably by the CBI — into the alleged nexus between certain police officials and drug trafficking networks in the state.

His demand follows the arrest of constable Amandip Kaur, who was reportedly found in possession of illegal substances at a police check-point.

In a statement to the press on Thursday, Khaira expressed grave concern over what he described as “deep-rooted complicity” between elements within the police force and drug syndicates. He said the case involving the constable has raised serious questions about the integrity and accountability of law enforcement in Punjab.

According to Khaira, during her arrest, Kaur allegedly highlighted her ties with a senior IPS officer. “Such claims, if verified, suggest the possibility of a broader network shielding illegal activities under the guise of the authority,” Khaira stated.

The issue has gained further traction due to the circulation of a leaked audio clip, purportedly implicating the same senior IPS officer. While the authenticity of the audio is yet to be officially confirmed, Khaira maintained that it points to a troubling pattern. “This is not an isolated incident,” he said. “The officer in question has reportedly been named in multiple legal complaints and currently occupies a key position in the police hierarchy.”

Khaira has urged the state government to act decisively and transparently. “Given the potential involvement of high-ranking officials, only an independent agency like the CBI can ensure a fair and thorough probe,” he said. “The people of Punjab want to know the truth and justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.”

The government has not yet issued a formal response to Khaira’s demands. The police department has also not commented on the allegations.

Khaira emphasised that the focus should remain on systemic reform rather than individual blame. “This is about restoring public trust in the rule of law and ensuring that those tasked with protecting society are not themselves complicit in its harm,” he said.

The IAF operates 151 Mi-17 V5 helicopters, acquired from Russia in phases between 2008 and 2013

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a Rs 2,385-crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru, to upgrade the electronic warfare (EW) suites on Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF operates 151 Mi-17 V5 helicopters, acquired from Russia in phases between 2008 and 2013. These helicopters are heavily used in Himalayan operations.

The MoD stated on Monday that the contract includes the acquisition of EW suites, aircraft modification kits and associated equipment, along with their installation on the Mi-17 V5 fleet.

The state-of-the-art EW suites are expected to significantly enhance the helicopters’ survivability in hostile environments during conflict. Most sub-assemblies and components will be sourced from Indian manufacturers.

Calling the project a “significant leap” in building indigenous EW capabilities, the MoD said it aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives. It will also boost participation from Indian electronics and allied industries, including MSMEs.

The contract falls under the ‘Buy’ (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category of the defence acquisition procedure. It was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

The Mi-17 V5 has a maximum speed of 250 km/h, a cruise speed of 230 km/h, a service ceiling of 6,000 m and a range of 675 km with its main fuel tanks.

Addressing the Indian DefSpace Symposium, he said military space doctrine to be out within 2-3 months

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

Stepping up its efforts to harness the outer space for military use, India is set to launch 52 dedicated satellites for gathering intelligence and surveillance.

In addition, a military space doctrine, which would serve as a policy for the armed forces, was expected to be finalised within the next three months, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said today in his address at the Indian DefSpace Symposium here.

“We are looking at launching 52 satellites for the purpose of intelligence gathering, reconnaissance and surveillance. This will be done by the Indian Space Research Organisation in association with the private industry,” he said. The symposium was organised by the Indian Space Association at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses here.

Apart from the military space doctrine, the government was also working on a national military space policy, said General Chauhan. The doctrine, he said, would define space for the military in terms of low and medium earth orbit constellations.

“With space emerging as a new domain that will dominate warfare, the tri-services need to have their own space warfare school for training in the near future,” he said.

The General listed how militaries were using space for observation, communication and targeting. “This will form the basic building block for future wars,” he said.

The CDS said the nation needed to have a space culture that fostered new ideas and capabilities in warfare. “This culture should include seminal research, original doctrines and strategies. It’s not just about creating startups, but we also need to have journals and institutes to ideate on the subject,” he said.Former Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari (retd) said, “Satellites are shrinking in size but growing in capability. We are witnessing a strategic shift from large satellites to proliferated and resilient constellations across multiple orbits.”

On the private sector’s emergence in the space sector, Indian Space Association Chairman Jayant Patil said, “The Indian industry has already delivered technologies such as surveillance and communication satellites, jammers and tracking radars”. The symposium was aimed at exploring the latest trends, opportunities and challenges in the defence and space sectors, said Patil.

Days after an encounter between terrorists and security forces in Kathua, in which four policemen were killed, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that an electronic surveillance system is being deployed along the border with Pakistan to prevent the movement…

Arjun Sharma Our Correspondent

Days after an encounter between terrorists and security forces in Kathua, in which four policemen were killed, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that an electronic surveillance system is being deployed along the border with Pakistan to prevent the movement of terrorists through underground tunnels.

On the second day of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister visited Vinay Post in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, where he interacted with commanders and BSF personnel.

While addressing the BSF personnel, Shah said, “Two models of electronic surveillance systems have been developed for deployment on the border. Once installed along the entire border, soldiers will be better equipped to receive intelligence and respond swiftly to enemy actions using advanced technology. Several experiments have been carried out to detect infiltration and to identify and destroy tunnels through the use of technology.”

He further stated that, in a few years, security forces deployed along the entire India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders would be fully equipped with technological assistance. “The sacrifice, bravery, valour, and courage of our soldiers form India’s shield against enemies across the border. This is why the people of the country deeply respect the BSF,” Shah said.

“Currently, 26 technology-related experiments are being tested, including anti-drone systems, tunnel detection, and electronic surveillance,” he added. Shah expressed confidence that results from some of these trials would be achieved by next March, significantly aiding soldiers in their duties.

The latest infiltration from the border in Kathua saw a group of at least five Pakistani terrorists first spotted by locals in the Hiranagar sector on March 23, leading to a brief gunfight. The terrorists managed to escape and were later involved in another encounter in the Ghati Juthana area on March 27, in which two terrorists and four policemen were killed. The remaining terrorists engaged in another gunfight in the Panjtirthi area of the district on March 31 before fleeing the scene.

The Home Minister was accompanied by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and BSF Director General Daljit Singh Choudhary. Shah paid tribute to Assistant Commandant Vinay Prasad of the BSF, who was martyred while on duty at the International Border in Kathua in 2019.

Shah also inaugurated newly built facilities at the border, including eight women’s barracks, high-mast lights, a tower, and a composite Border Out Post — all constructed at a cost of Rs 47.22 crore.

Praising the BSF’s commitment, Shah said, “Visiting this post highlights the difficult conditions under which BSF personnel operate to secure the country’s borders.” He added that despite harsh weather — extreme cold, heavy rainfall, or temperatures reaching 45°C — and challenging geography, the soldiers remain ever-vigilant and committed to their mission.

HM visits kin of martyred DSP in Srinagar

Srinagar: Amit Shah on Monday visited the family of Kirti Chakra awardee Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Muzammil Bhat, who laid down his life battling terrorists in 2023.

Shah went straight to Bhat’s house at Humhama after landing at Srinagar airport. The Home Minister spent nearly 20 minutes with the slain police officer’s father, retired IGP Ghulam Hassan Bhat, before heading to Raj Bhavan. He was accompanied by L-G Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah.

Bhat was among four security personnel who died in the line of duty while battling terrorists in the dense forests surrounding Gadool village of Kokernag in Anantnag district in September 2023. — OC