Through their sacrifice, the Sahibzadas fulfilled proclamation about their father: Sawa lakh se ek ladaun, tabe Gobind Singh naam kahaun

The household of Guru Gobind Singh was graced by four radiant souls, the elder two revered as Vadde Sahibzade —Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh. Nurtured amidst the fragrance of spiritual wisdom mingled with clanging of steel, they were far more than princes; they were embodiment of the Sant-Sipahi spirit, where devotion and courage flowed together.

The defining moment in their lives arrived during the Battle of Chamkaur in 1704. Surrounded by a sea of Mughal and Hill Chiefs’ forces, Guru Gobind Singh stood with mere forty devoted warriors in the mud-walled fortress, or kachi garhi, of Chamkaur. Sikhs stepped out in small groups, confronting the enemy and attained martyrdom in service of righteousness.

When eighteen-year-old Sahibzada Ajit Singh sought permission from his father for battlefield, the air within the fortress grew heavy. The Sikhs pleaded, “Guruji, we cannot bear the loss of the Sahibzada. Allow us to fight in his place.” But Guru Gobind Singh, his heart as vast as the ocean, replied, “All of you are my Sahibzadas.”

With his own hands, the Guru adorned his son with shastars, preparing him for final destiny as if he were dressing him for his wedding. Leading a small band of Sikhs, Sahibzada Ajit Singh charged into the battlefield like a roaring lion, raining arrows upon enemy. He fought with unparalleled ferocity, cutting through enemy ranks before attaining martyrdom. Through his sacrifice, the Sahibzada fulfilled proclamation about his father: Sawa lakh se ek ladaun, tabe Gobind Singh naam kahaun — I shall make one fight against one and a quarter lakh; only then shall I be called Gobind Singh.

From the fort walls, the father proudly watched his firstborn’s transition from life to immortal legend.

Witnessing the elder’s bravery, fourteen-year-old Sahibzada Jujhar Singh yearned for the same exaltation. He requested his father, “Guruji, grant me the honour to follow the path my brother has paved”.

Imagine the silence in the fortress. Sensing the impending loss, Sikhs knelt and begged the Guru to spare one remaining blossom. But the Guru visualised a higher horizon — that foundation of sovereignty could not be built on compromise, but on the purest blood.

As the Sahibzada marched out, there was no tearful adieu; instead, the Guru bestowed the final Fateh, sending him forth not toward death, but to a triumphant rising that would echo through the corridors of eternity. His courage beyond his age was not born of impulse but of disciplined faith and absolute commitment to the cause. Sahibzada Jujhar Singh fought with relentless determination and embraced martyrdom with the composure of a seasoned warrior.

Soora so pahichaneai ju larai deen ke het

Purja purja kat marai kabhoo na chhadai khet

Meaning: He alone is know as a spiritual fighter, who fights in defence of those in need. He may be cut apart, piece by piece, but he never leaves the battlefield.

Beholding his sons crowned with eternal glory, Guru Gobind Singh, instead of grieving, stood unshaken and raised a thunderous Jaikara — Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal — thanking the Almighty that his sons upheld faith and honour.

In the annals of world history, there is no parallel to a father who sends his sons to a battlefield from which there is no return, despite having the power to save them.

Poet Allah Yaar Khan Jogi wrote: Bas ek Hind mein teerath hai yatra ke liye, katae baap ne bache jahan khuda ke liye — In Hind, there is but one true place of pilgrimage: where a father allowed his sons to be sacrificed for the sake of God.

The martyrdom of the Sahibzadas stands as a timeless testament: Even the fear of death bows its head before true faith. Sahibzadas laid down their lives so that dignity would never fade and no soul would ever have to live beneath the shadows of tyranny again.

Former IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal is in critical condition after an alleged suicide attempt reported on Monday, police said.

He was rushed to Park Hospital with a serious chest injury and is undergoing treatment. Doctors have not yet declared him dead.

Police officials said a note recovered from the scene reportedly refers to financial distress allegedly caused by an online fraud.

An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact circumstances of the incident.

Patiala SSP Varun Sharma said police teams immediately reached Chahal’s residence after receiving information about the incident.

“As soon as we received information of bullet fired, our teams rushed to his house and he was rushed to the hospital in a very critical condition”, confirmed Patiala SSP Varun Sharma.

Chahal was one of the accused in the 2015 Faridkot firing case. In February 2023, a Punjab Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by ADGP LK Yadav filed a chargesheet in a Faridkot court naming several political leaders and senior police officers, including Chahal.

Police said more details are expected once the investigation is completed.

Chahal was one of the accused in the 2015 Faridkot firing case. On February 24, 2023, a Punjab Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by ADGP LK Yadav filed a chargesheet in a Faridkot court.

The chargesheet named former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and former home minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with five police officers, including former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, IG Paramraj Singh Umranangal, former DIG Amar Singh Chahal, former SSP Sukhminder Singh Mann and SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma.

Police said further details will emerge after the probe is completed.

23 Dec. 9 ਪੋਹ/Poh. By the evening of 22nd December, both the elder Sahibzaade and many Singhs had laid their lives at Chamkaur.

On the orders of Panj Peyaras, Guru ji was asked to leave the Chamkaur Ghadi at night. Reluctantly
Guru ji then gave his Dastaar and Kalgi to Bhai Sangat Singh who resembled Guru ji. Bhai Sangat Singh and few other Singhs were left behind at Chamkaur.

While leaving, Guru Sahib blew his horn and stood on high ground and clapped his hands three times saying Peer-e-Hind ravvad (“The “Peer” of Hind is leaving”). Ignoring the mortal remains of his sons (ਦੇਖਕੇ ਅਣਡਿੱਠ ਕੀਤਾ) Guru ji proceeded towards Machiwara Jungle and rested under a tree in a Orchard.

Gangu,the household cook, by now had reported Younger Sahibzadas and Grandmother to Mughal Authorities. They were arrested and eventually taken to Morinda Kotwali.

As day broke, the Mughals launched an all out attack on the Chamkaur fortress. There was stiff resistance. They finally entered the fortress. The Mughals rejoiced over Bhai Sangat Singh’s slain body, thinking they had captured and killed Guru Gobind Singh ji.

(Today is the Shaheedi Divas of Bhai Sangat Singh and remaining Singhs who fought rear guard action in Chamkaur Fortress)

Snowfall and inclement weather conditions across the Union Territory led to the closure of major roads connecting the Kashmir Valley and caused multiple flight cancellations due to low visibility on Sunday.

Mughal Road, Sinthan Pass, and the Srinagar-Leh National Highway were shut due to heavy snow accumulation, as these roads traverse high mountain passes. In addition to J&K, parts of Ladakh also received snowfall, causing significant inconvenience to locals.

The snowfall in Kashmir marked the beginning of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period, starting on Sunday. This brought much-needed respite to the people of the Valley after a prolonged dry spell. Snowfall was reported at the Gulmarg tourist resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, where nearly two inches of snow accumulated.

In Sonamarg, snowfall began early Sunday morning and continued until the afternoon. Sadhna Top, the pass connecting the Tangdhar sector along the Line of Control (LoC) to the main Kashmir Valley, received moderate snowfall, with six inches accumulating since Saturday night.

Flight operations at Srinagar Airport were disrupted due to the weather, leading to the cancellation of 15 inward and outbound flights. In a statement, the airport authorities said, “Due to prevailing adverse weather conditions across various parts of North India, delays, rescheduling, and cancellations of flights are likely. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status with their respective airlines before commencing their journey.”

Issuing an advisory for commuters, J&K Traffic Police stated that movement along hilly roads will only be allowed in accordance with prescribed cut-off timings. “Before starting their journey, motorists should ensure that anti-skid equipment is fitted to their vehicles, as vehicles without proper anti-skid mechanisms will not be allowed on hilly roads like Tangmarg-Gulmarg, Kangan-Sonamarg, Sinthan-Kishtwar, Mughal Road, Kupwara border roads, and Gurez-Bandipora, in case these roads remain open for traffic. To avoid traffic jams at roadside holding areas, only registered anti-skid chain vendors will be allowed to fix chains at designated locations,” the advisory read.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar issued a warning stating that the higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal are likely to receive heavy snowfall. “Travellers are advised to plan accordingly and follow traffic advisories,” it said.

The MeT Centre further stated that Monday would remain generally cloudy with light rain/snow in scattered to fairly widespread areas.

Meanwhile, the MeT Centre at Leh reported that light to moderate snowfall is expected at many places in Kargil, Zanskar, and over the higher reaches of Leh district. The centre also forecasted disruptions in traffic over major passes, particularly Zojila.

Braving chill and foggy weather, devotees numbering up to 25 lakh throng Fatehgarh Sahib for Shaheedi Jor Mela every year.

Spending nights in makeshift tents and tractor-trailers, these devotees have started reaching the holy place from across Punjab and neighbouring states.

The biggest annual event of the state is held from December 25 to 27 to commemorate the martyrdom of Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive by Mughal ruler for not embracing Islam.

Bhai Harpal Singh, head granthi of Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara, said the Shaheedi Sabha would start on December 25 by performing akhand path of Guru Granth Sahib at Jyoti Swarup Sahib Gurdwara, where the Sahibzadas were cremated and conclude on December 27 with concluding ardas.

Dr Sona Thind, Deputy Commissioner, said all arrangements had been completed for the mela. Around 3,500 police officials, 300 CCTV cameras, six drones, 21 parking sites and 72 nakas had been erected. An integrated control room of all departments with a toll-free number had been set up so that people could call in case of any emergency.

Also read: Martyrdom Day of Vadde Sahibzade: A legacy that defeated tyranny

Despite temperatures dipping to single digit, volunteers are braving the cold to serve hot meals to the devotees.

Authorities at Pench Tiger Reserve utilised modern AI-based camera traps and motion sensor cameras to identify and monitor the tigress’s movements

A tigress that had been eluding the authorities of Pench Reserve in Madhya Pradesh’s Seoni for the last 24 days was captured and successfully airlifted to Rajasthan for relocation in an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter on Sunday, officials said.

After being surrounded by elephants several times from morning to afternoon, the tigress was tranquilized and brought to Sukatra airstrip here in a rescue vehicle, an official said.

The Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter airlifted the tigress, along with the cage, to Rajasthan’s Vishdhari Tiger Reserve around 6 pm, he said.

Pench Tiger Reserve wildlife veterinarian Dr Akhilesh Mishra, assistant director Gurleen Kaur, Rukhad ranger Lokesh Pawar, WCT wildlife veterinarian Dr Prashant Deshmukh, forest officials from Rajasthan and team of experts were on board the helicopter to ensure the three-year-old tigress’ safe journey, the official said.

“Pench tigress PN-224 was captured from the wild and airlifted from Sukatra airstrip to Rajasthan. This relocation will not only increase the tiger population in Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve but will also help strengthen genetic diversity among different tiger landscapes. This operation is an excellent example of scientific wildlife management and technical prowess,” Pench Tiger Reserve deputy director Rajneesh Singh said.

“India has achieved another major success in wildlife conservation and inter-state coordination. The most significant aspect of this entire operation was the safe transport of the tigress to her new home via an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter. This relocation operation was conducted systematically and scientifically for the past month,” Singh informed.

The authorities at Pench Tiger Reserve utilised modern AI-based camera traps and motion sensor cameras to identify and monitor the tigress’s movements, with approximately 50 cameras being set up in the area to accurately monitor the big cat’s health and behaviour, the official said.

The successful operation was facilitated by the unique coordination between the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Forest Departments, with Rajasthan’s Chief Conservator of Forests, Suganaram Jat, and veterinarian Dr Tejinder camping in Pench for the past eight days.

The entire process was completed under the guidance of Pench Tiger Reserve field director Devprasad J and deputy director Rajneesh Kumar Singh, officials said.

The complex process of tranquilizing the tigress was carried out under the leadership of Dr Akhilesh Mishra and Dr Prashant Deshmukh (Wildlife Conservation Trust), with the assistance of experts from Jabalpur Veterinary College and field biologists, they said, adding that assistant director Gurleen Kaur led the mission during the transfer.

The contribution of field staff from the Kurai and Rukhad ranges of Pench was crucial to the success of this mission as they patrolled daily from 6am to 6pm to monitor the tigress’ movement, they said.

Pakistan on Tuesday kicked off a televised auction for state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as the government attempts to advance long-delayed reforms mandated under its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Bids for a majority stake in PIA are scheduled in two phases, with submissions due around 10.45 am (0545 GMT), followed by a public bid-opening ceremony later in the day, officials said.

The auction marks Pakistan’s second attempt to privatise the once-storied flag carrier after a televised bidding process last year collapsed. That effort failed when a solitary bid came in far below the government’s reference price, derailing what would have been Pakistan’s first major privatisation in nearly two decades.

Three domestic bidders are expected to participate in Tuesday’s auction after the military-linked Fauji Fertilizer withdrew from the process, Privatisation Minister Muhammad Ali told digital media outlet Nukta in an interview last week.

Under the transaction structure, the government is open to selling up to 100% of PIA, with any stake above 75% attracting a 15% premium, local media reported.

Last year, the government had set a minimum price of $305 million for a 60% stake but received just one bid of $36 million from real estate developer Blue World City. The bidder declined to raise its offer, citing concerns over PIA’s financial health and what it described as “significant leakages.”

Several pre-qualified groups told Reuters at the time that they chose not to bid due to worries about policy continuity, unattractive terms, and doubts over the government’s ability to honour long-term commitments, especially after Islamabad moved to renegotiate sovereign-guaranteed power contracts.

Since then, PIA’s outlook has improved. The government has assumed most of the airline’s legacy debt, the carrier has posted its first pre-tax profit in two decades, and both Britain and the European Union have lifted a five-year ban that had cut PIA off from its most lucrative routes.

The reopening of these routes could significantly boost revenues and support a higher valuation than in last year’s failed auction, analysts and government officials said.

The proposed sale of PIA is part of a broader privatisation drive under Pakistan’s IMF bailout programme, which also includes plans to offload stakes in state-owned banks, power distribution companies, and other loss-making enterprises as the government seeks to curb fiscal drain and restore investor confidence.

Former Punjab cadre IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal allegedly shot himself on Monday after being “defrauded” of over Rs 8 crore by online scammers. He was rushed to a private hospital with a critical injury.

In a note, he wrote, “I am in deep trouble. I have been scammed out of crores of rupees by very sophisticated investment and wealth managers. Most of the money I borrowed was from friends and relatives whom I am not able to face as I have no money to repay them. I am left with no option other than to take my life.”

Known to be a very public-friendly police officer, Chahal alleged that he had invested the money over the past decade, but instead of any returns, the company continued to ask for more money.

The former cop further mentioned that the main culprit used a picture of a CEO of a reputed company on his WhatsApp account and that “all transactions were made online through a bank”.

Before taking the step, the former Inspector General, who retired in 2019, wrote to the PM, Home Minister, Finance Minister and the Punjab DGP, highlighting the scam and how he was defrauded and demanded a CBI probe.

The note was recovered by the police from his residence and a probe is underway.

In the note, Chahal mentioned he used a service weapon allotted to his gunman and that he (gunman) should not be held responsible in any manner. “I hope criminals will not go unpunished and my family will get justice. I also request all my friends from whom I borrowed money to let my family come out of the shock before they are in a position to repay the loans,” he mentions.

“The site is named as F777 Wealth Equity Research Group and they have multiple numbers. I had borrowed over Rs 7 crore from friends and relatives and I was ashamed to face them,” read the excerpts from the handwritten note that was sent to many persons.

The former IG demanded that a CBI probe or an SIT be formed by the state police to arrest these online scammers who dupe gullible people of their hard-earned money. “A similar case of an Andhra Pradesh-based engineer who was cheated of Rs 1 crore was also reported. Therefore, the matter requires proper investigations so that money can be recovered and returned,” reads the note.

Chahal is one of the accused in the 2015 Faridkot firing case. In February 2023, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by ADGP LK Yadav filed a chargesheet in a Faridkot court naming several political leaders and senior police officials, including Chahal.

The police have started an investigation into the matter and ruled out any foul play in the incident, terming it a case of “attempted suicide”. “We are looking into the details and it is too early to reach any conclusion, though an FIR will be registered soon,” said Patiala SSP Varun Sharma.

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has claimed that the country received “divine help” during the four-day military confrontation with India in May, calling the unseen support something that Pakistan forces “felt”.

Speaking at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad, Munir cited verses from the Quran as he described the conflict that followed India’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

“We felt it,” he said, referring to what he described as “divine intervention” during the hostilities that erupted after Indian strikes on terror targets inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The May clashes between India and Pakistan marked one of the sharpest escalations between the neighbours in years, with both sides engaging in intense clashes before an understanding was reached to stop the military actions on May