The argument reportedly began when the police personnel, in civilian clothes, asked the Army Colonel to move his vehicle.

Patiala:

An Army officer and his son have been allegedly thrashed by cops over a parking dispute in Punjab’s Patiala. The incident occurred on March 13 outside a roadside eatery and was caught on CCTV.

The argument reportedly began when the police personnel, in civilian clothes, asked Colonel Pushpinder Bath, currently posted at the Army Headquarters in Delhi, to move his vehicle.

The argument escalated when the officer objected to their tone. The police personnel then allegedly kicked and punched Colonel Bath. 

The cops also assaulted his son when he tried to intervene.

The police personnel also reportedly used baseball bats to assault them.

PATIALA: Twelve police officers in Patiala have been suspended for allegedly assaulting an Army official and his son. Furthermore, the SSP of Patiala has launched a departmental inquiry into the matter, assuring to complete it within 45 days.
Colonel Pushpinder Bath, posted at Army headquarters in New Delhi and currently on deputation at RAW, alleged that on March 13 night, he and his son were at a roadside dhaba near Rajindra Hospital in Patiala when some cops assaulted them over a car parking issue.
Both are currently undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Patiala. The cops, however, blamed the Army official and his son for attacking them instead. The cops were in civil dress at the time of the incident.
As a disciplinary action, Patiala SSP Nanak Singh suspended the 12 cops, including three inspectors, and initiated a departmental inquiry against them. The SSP said although, according to rules, such an inquiry must be completed within six months, in this sensitive case, he assured, the probe would be completed within 45 days.

he assured that a fair investigation would be carried out, with statements from both parties being recorded and probed. The cops, as well as the colonel, have given their statements regarding the matter.
Jaswinder Bath, the wife of Col Pushpinder Bath, while addressing a press conference in Patiala along with BJP leader Gurtej Singh Dhillon, alleged that her husband and their son were having food while standing outside their car at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital on the night of March 13.
A few police officers approached the colonel and asked him to move his car so they could park theirs. She claimed that the cops assaulted Col Bath and his son after they objected to the tone of the cops.

Patiala SSP apologises, says a departmental probe has been initiated against 12 cops and a report will be submitted in 45 days

After public outrage, 12 Punjab Police personnel, including three inspectors, were placed under suspension on Monday and a departmental inquiry was ordered against them for thrashing an army colonel and his son over a parking dispute here on Saturday.

The suspended police officials are in the rank of inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, head constables and constables. “All 12 cops involved in the incident have been suspended with immediate effect. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated and will be completed within 45 days,” said Patiala senior superintendent of police Nanak Singh. Among the suspended cops are inspectors Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh and Harjinder Dhillon.

Terming it as a sad incident, the SSP said, “We deeply regret it, and we seek an apology for the same.” “Both the parties have issued their statements. We will also involve independent witnesses in the matter,” the SSP added.

Colonel Bath, while talking to HT, said: “My Son Angad had come to Patiala from Delhi. He reached at 12.15 am and we decided to have ‘maggi’ at a roadside dhabha. “We were standing standing near our car and having food, when some police officials, who were in civil dress, reached the spot and asked me to remove my vehicle while using abusive language. “When I objected to their language, one of them punched me. Later, all the police personnel thrashed me and my son who tried to intervene. They even took my government ID card and mobile phone,” added Col Bath.

Jaswinder Bath, wife of Col Bath, said her husband and son were beaten using baseball bats and sharp-edged weapons, because of which the colonel’s arm was broken, and her son suffered a long cut on his head.

Col Bath, who is posted at the army headquarters in New Delhi, said: “The police did not name the personnel as accused in the case initially. Moreover, the FIR was registered only after senior army officers intervened.”

A CCTV footage of the incident was also shared on social media and drew public outrage with retired army officers condemning the incident and demanding strict action against the police personnel.

Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) demanded a strict action against the accused cops. He took on X and said, “This is the most atrocious & disgusting behaviour by Punjab Police towards a serving officer of the @adgpi & his son I hope @CMOPbIndia @DGPPunjabPolice take immediate action Jai Hind”

Senior Congress leader and leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa also slammed the Punjab government over the incident. “A serving Army Colonel and his son were brutally thrashed by officials of Patiala Police. This is the state of law and order in Punjab under AAP Govt. If a high ranking army officer is not safe we can very well imagine the plight of a common man,” Bajwa wrote on X.

In a major embarrassment for the Patiala police, its 12 personnel, including three inspectors, were on Monday suspended and a departmental probe was ordered against them in connection with a brawl in which they allegedly “kicked, punched and brutally assaulted”…

Aman Sood Tribune News Service

12 Patiala cops suspended for thrashing Colonel, son

In a major embarrassment for the Patiala police, its 12 personnel, including three inspectors, were on Monday suspended and a departmental probe was ordered against them in connection with a brawl in which they allegedly “kicked, punched and brutally assaulted”…

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, Updated At : 06:50 AM Mar 18, 2025 IST

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BJP leader Gurtej Singh Dhillon with family members of Army officer Pushpinder Bath in Patiala on Monday. Trubune Photo: Rajesh Sachar

In a major embarrassment for the Patiala police, its 12 personnel, including three inspectors, were on Monday suspended and a departmental probe was ordered against them in connection with a brawl in which they allegedly “kicked, punched and brutally assaulted” a Colonel and his son. Four days after the incident, the Patiala police apologised to the Army and assured “strict action against the erring cops”.

Senior police officials said those suspended were inspectors Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh and Harjinder Dhillon, besides nine other cops and gunmen attached with the three. The development comes two days after the Patiala police registered an FIR against unidentified men for a brawl near Rajindra Hospital, after an Army officer was allegedly assaulted on March 13 night.

Patiala SSP Nanak Singh told The Tribune that 12 policemen had been suspended with immediate effect. He apologised for the incident saying the police had high regards for the Army. “We will not spare anyone. A fair investigation will be conducted and a probe report prepared within 45 days,” he said.

Colonel Pushpinder Bath, currently posted at the Army headquarters in New Delhi, alleged that he was assaulted on March 13 night. He and his son are under treatment at the Military Hospital after being attacked by policemen “posted in Patiala”.

“It was a brutal attack in which my father suffered a fracture in the left arm along with many other injuries inflicted with blunt weapons. I also suffered multiple injuries as over 10 cops pounced upon me after I tried to save my father from the accused,” alleged Angad Singh.

“One of the policemen said he was just back after an encounter in a kidnapping case. He threatened me with another encounter if the matter is pursued further,” he claimed.

Addressing a press conference in Patiala, Jaswinder Bath, wife of Col Pushpinder Bath, claimed her husband, along with their son, were present at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital. She said while they were standing outside their car and having food, the cops reached there and asked the Colonel to remove his car as they had to park their car there.

“When my husband objected to their tone, one of them punched him. Later, the police personnel beat up my husband and son, leaving them severely injured,” alleged Jaswinder.

One of the suspended policemen, however, claimed that it was the Colonel and his son who attacked them first. “They were having drinks in the open. When confronted, they attacked us,” he said.

Dhaba owner Karan, who claims he was present at the spot, said the colonel and his son had ordered food and they started taking drinks with glasses kept on the car. “Two other vehicles arrived there later. Both factions were in civvies and they had a scuffle over the parked car,” he said.

The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and sought a report.

Issues new warning

President Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on the Houthi-held areas in Yemen on Saturday, promising to use “overwhelming lethal force” until Iranian-backed Houthi rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. The Houthis said at least 18 civilians were killed.

“Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial attacks on the terrorists’ bases, leaders, and missile defences to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore Navigational Freedom,” Trump said in a social media post. “No terrorist force will stop American commercial and naval vessels from freely sailing the Waterways of the World.”

He also warned Iran to stop supporting the rebel group, promising to hold the country “fully accountable” for the actions of its proxy. It comes two weeks after the US leader sent a letter to Iranian leaders offering a path to restarting bilateral talks between the countries on Iran’s advancing nuclear weapons programme. Trump has said he will not allow it to become operational.

The Houthis reported explosions in their territory on Saturday evening, in the capital of Sanaa and the northern province of Saada, the rebels’ stronghold on the border with Saudi Arabia, with more airstrikes reported in those areas early on Sunday. Images online showed plumes of black smoke over the area of the Sanaa airport complex, which includes a sprawling military facility. The Houthis also reported airstrikes early on Sunday on the provinces of Hodeida, Bayda and Marib.

At least 18 people were killed, 13 in Sanaa and five in Saada, according to the Houthi-run health ministry. At least 24 others were wounded, including nine in Sanaa and 15 in Saada, it said.

A US official said this was the beginning of airstrikes on Houthi targets that are expected to continue. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk to the press.

The Donald Trump administration is considering targeting the citizens of as many as 43 countries as part of a new ban on travel to the US. The New York Times reported that the Trump administration intends to bracket these countries…

The Donald Trump administration is considering targeting the citizens of as many as 43 countries as part of a new ban on travel to the US.

The New York Times reported that the Trump administration intends to bracket these countries in three categories. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Iran are mentioned as countries that will be part of the restrictions.

A draft list of recommendations prepared by diplomatic and security officials suggests a “red list” of 11 countries whose citizens will be flatly barred from entering the US. These are Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.

This will be followed by the “orange list” in which visas will be “sharply restricted”.

The orange list comprises 10 countries from where travel will be heavily restricted. The citizens from these countries may still qualify for certain types of visa such as business travel, but will face mandatory in-person interviews. The countries are Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Turkmenistan.

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US mulls 3 categories

The Trump administration intends to bracket these countries in three categories

Red list: Comprises 11 countries whose citizens will be flatly barred from entering the US

Orange list: Has 10 countries from where travel will be heavily restricted

Yellow list: Features 22 nations that will be given 60 days to rectify security concerns or risk being moved to a stricter category

The third is the “yellow list” with 22 countries that will be given 60 days to rectify security and information-sharing concerns or risk being moved to a stricter category.

These countries are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.

Officials from the State Department, along with security specialists and intelligence agencies, are reportedly reviewing the draft list. They are evaluating the accuracy of the listed deficiencies and considering any diplomatic consequences of including certain countries. The proposal could be revised to accommodate international cooperation priorities, the US media reported.

During Trump’s first term, courts initially blocked early versions of travel bans, though the Supreme Court later upheld a revised version affecting eight nations.

Former President Joe Biden revoked Trump’s previous travel bans.

The Navy is keen that the agreements for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets and three more Scorpene-class conventional submarines, worth a total of $11 billion, be inked this financial year

Published – March 15, 2025 10:57 pm IST – New Delhi

Dinakar Peri

Two mega defence deals with France — for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets and three more Scorpene-class conventional submarines — worth close to $11 billion are now awaiting final approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) before their anticipated conclusion very soon.

The Indian Navy will get to see up close the performance of the Rafale-M jets on the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle as the carrier strike group currently in the Indian Ocean is scheduled to visit Goa next week for the bilateral Varuna exercise.

“All formalities have been completed and the case has been put up to the CCS for couple of weeks now,” officials confirmed on the deal for 26 Rafale-M jets. “Negotiations were done weeks back,” an official stated. The Navy has been very keen that both deals be inked in this financial year ending March 31 so they are included in this year’s budget.

The Rafale-M deal is expected to be concluded in April when the French Defence Minister is expected to visit India. As reported by The Hindu earlier, deliveries of the Rafale-M for the Indian Navy would begin in four years once the contract is signed. Officials said that given that it is a government-to-government deal, funds earmarked in this fiscal budget can be rolled over to the next.

Sources stated that the Scorpene deal is also complete in all respects. It is a follow-up to the earlier deal for six Scorpene submarines procured under Project-75 between Naval Group of France and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

If the deal is concluded next month, the Indian navy would begin receiving from 2029 both the Rafale-M jets and also the MQ-9B, an unmanned aerial vehicle with high altitude and long endurance features, contracted from the U.S.

On July 13, 2023 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was enroute to Paris, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighters and three additional Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines.

The 26 Rafale deal includes 22 single-seater Rafale-M and four twin-seater Rafale trainers (which are not carrier compatible). The 26 jets are meant to fill the gap in numbers till the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), which is under development, is inducted into service. The Navy currently operates two aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya procured from Russia and the indigenously built INS Vikrant that was commissioned in September 2022.

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh draws attention towards the hybrid nature of future warfare where the conflict is likely to be spread across multiple domains

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), has underscored the need to adopt innovative measures to counter the increased security challenges.

Addressing the Commanders’ Conference of the Southern Air Command (SAC) in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday (March 12, 2025), the Air Chief drew the attention of the Commanders towards the hybrid nature of future warfare where the spectrum of conflict is likely to be spread across multiple domains.

Russian military shoots down 337 Ukrainian drones in largest attack in three years, causing casualties and damage in multiple regions

The Russian military said Tuesday (March 11, 2025) air defences overnight shot down 337 Ukrainian drones over 10 Russian regions in what appears to be the biggest Ukrainian drone attack on Russia in three years.