Inter-state gang targeting Char Dham pilgrims busted, key accused arrested
Digital Desk | Chamoli, Sep 12 (IANS) The Chamoli Police in Uttarakhand have invoked the Gangsters Act against an organised inter-state gang allegedly involved in pickpocketing and cheating pilgrims during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, with the gang leader arrested from Devprayag. The accused, identified as 26-year-old Sunil Kumar, a native of Bharatpur in Rajasthan and currently residing in Punjab's Bathinda was arrested on September 11 following sustained technical surveillance and ground-level intelligence gathering. According to the police, the gang took advantage of the heavy rush of devotees during the Char Dham Yatra and systematically targeted pilgrims. The investigation revealed that the accused were not part of an ordinary or loosely connected group but were operating as an organised inter-state criminal gang. A case was registered at Kotwali Shri Badrinath on April 27, 2026, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). As the investigation progressed, police established links between the accused and a wider organised network involved in targeting pilgrims. Police had earlier arrested four members of the gang. They were identified as Krishna Kumar, 28, a resident of Punjab's Bathinda; Diya, 25, a resident of Mor Mandi in Bathinda; Sunil Kumar, 26, a native of Rajasthan's Bharatpur and currently residing in Bathinda; and Lalit Kumar, 31, a resident of Rajasthan's Alwar. During interrogation, police uncovered details of the gang's activities and found that its members had allegedly targeted pilgrims not only in the Badrinath Dham area but also in Kedarnath Dham. A separate case in connection with similar incidents has also been registered at Sonprayag police station. According to the police, the findings in both cases established the organised and inter-state nature of the gang's criminal activities. Chamoli Police subsequently prepared a detailed gang chart and obtained approval from the District Magistrate before initiating action under the Gangsters Act against the gang and its members. Police teams maintained continuous surveillance on the suspects and combined technical inputs with information collected on the ground. The coordinated investigation eventually helped them trace the gang leader. Based on technical surveillance, Sunil Kumar was arrested from Devprayag on September 11. Police said the action is an important step towards ensuring the safety of pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra and curbing organised criminal activities targeting devotees.
Sher-E-Punjab T20: Shubman Gill Fails As Fazilka Falcons Fail To Qualify For Semis
Fazilka Falcons outclassed Bathinda Royals by 49 runs but despite the convincing victory failed to advance to the semi-finals of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League in Mohali on Thursday.
Fazilka Falcons beat Bathinda Royals but miss Sher-E-Punjab T20 semis
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Sher-E-Punjab T20: Naman Dhirs 95 powers Amritsar Soormas to third straight win
Digital Desk | Mohali, Sep 10 (IANS) Amritsar Soormas continued their impressive late-season surge in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with a thrilling nine-run win over Jalandhar Warriors, securing their third consecutive victory and strengthening their playoff push. Batting first, the Soormas posted 178/9, powered by another sensational knock from Naman Dhir, who followed his match-winning 173 in the previous game with a blazing 95 off 48 balls, including six fours and eight sixes. Dhir struck at 197.92, once again putting the opposition under pressure and giving Amritsar a strong platform. Jalandhar mounted a spirited response, led by Randeep Singh (32 off 22), with Prabhsimran Singh (28) and Aryan Yadav (26) also contributing. However, Amritsar kept striking at crucial moments to restrict the Warriors to 169/8. Jaipartap Singh Johal, Akash Pandey and Shubham Rana picked up two wickets apiece, while Dhir also chipped in with 1/15. The win takes Amritsar Soormas to second place with eight points from seven matches, ahead of Jalandhar on net run rate. Having won their last three games, the Soormas are now firmly in contention for a top-four finish, with just one league-stage game remaining. Amritsar will close out their league campaign against Ludhiana Lions on Friday (September 11) at 7 PM at the I.S. Bindra Stadium, Mohali. With the playoff race finely poised, the Soormas will look to carry their winning momentum into the final game and strengthen their case for a top-four finish. Skipper Ramandeep Singh led from the front with a blistering, unbeaten 71 off 36 balls as Mohali Kings stormed into the semifinals of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with a five-wicket win over Bathinda Royals at the I.S. Bindra Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing a competitive target of 185, Mohali Kings got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets with just four runs on the board. But skipper Ramandeep and Anmolpreet Singh (49 off 28 balls) revived the chase with a crucial 52-run stand for the third wicket before Ramandeep took control to take his side over the line.
Sher-e-Punjab T20: 'Focus only on the next game,' says Arshdeep ahead of crucial clash
Digital Desk | Mohali, Sep 10 (IANS) Ludhiana Lions captain Arshdeep Singh said the team would not be distracted by the points table and would instead focus on executing its plans as they look to secure their place in the top four when they take on Amritsar Soormas in their final league match of the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League at the IS Bindra Stadium on Friday. Ludhiana are currently third on the points table, with most teams still in contention for the remaining three playoff spots. Mohali Kings are the only side to have already secured their place in the last four. We go into our final league match with the same mindset, focusing only on the game in front of us and not getting distracted by the points table, Arshdeep said ahead of the clash. Ludhiana enter the match with renewed confidence after ending a three-match losing streak with a six-wicket win over Shubman Gills Fazilka Falcons in their previous outing. Salil Arora starred with 78 off 38 balls, while Bikramjeet Singh and Arjun Rajput contributed 58 and 35, respectively, to help Ludhiana chase down the target comfortably. Were at the business end of the tournament. I believe we have played much better cricket than our current points suggest. With one league match remaining, the plan is simple: go out, execute our plans and do everything within our ability to fight for a place in the playoffs, said Arshdeep. It is still within our reach. Im confident that if we tighten up the small things that have gone against us in the last few matches, we can find ourselves in the final four. Arshdeep also praised the contribution of both senior players and youngsters in the Ludhiana squad. Every member of the squad, whether an experienced senior or a young talent who may not have as many games under his belt, has taken his role and responsibility extremely seriously. The boys have consistently put their hands up for whatever the team needs and have played crucial roles for Ludhiana Lions, he said. Among the emerging players, Arjun Rajput, Kartik Chadha, Sahil Bhaskar and Madhav Singh Pathania have made important contributions. Rajput scored 82 runs off 45 balls and claimed four wickets for 27 runs in the same match against Bathinda Royals, while Chadha has been among the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. He is currently second on the wicket-taking charts behind his Ludhiana teammate Sahil Bhaskar. Arjun Rajput is an obvious name. Hes slowly been making his presence felt and has also earned his U19 call-up. I genuinely believe he has a very bright future ahead, Arshdeep said. Kartik Chadha is another player who really stands out to me. He has shades of multiple Indian superstars in his game, and Im confident that whenever he gets the opportunity, hell grab it with both hands. His bowling performances already speak for themselves. Ludhiana Lions will face Abhishek Sharmas Amritsar Soormas at 7 pm on Friday in what promises to be a crucial encounter in the race for the playoffs.
Sher-e-Punjab T20: Responsibility Helps Me Grow, Says Ramandeep As Mohali Kings Storm Into Semis
Punjab T20 League: Asserting that responsibility helps him grow as a player, skipper Ramandeep Singh led from the front with a blistering, unbeaten 71 off 36 balls as Mohali Kings stormed into the semifinals of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with a five-wicket win over Bathinda Royals at the I.S. Bindra Stadium here on Wednesday. Chasing a competitive target of 185, Mohali Kings got off to a disastrous start, losing two wickets with just four runs on the board. But skipper Ramandeep and Anmolpreet Singh (49 off 28 balls) revived the chase with a crucial 52-run stand for the third wicket before Ramandeep took control to take his side over the line. Our dressing room is very calm; as we all know, not every match can be won. I think responsibility helps me to grow, and I try to finish the game on my own, Ramandeep said after the match ended. Despite securing a spot in the semifinals, Ramandeep cautioned his side against complacency as the group stage draws to a close. My message for the team is we have two matches left, and we must keep our heads down and keep on working, he added. Earlier, Bathinda Royals staged a solid recovery after being reduced to 17/2. Harnoor Singh (43 off 36 balls) and Gourav Choudhary (35 off 22 deliveries) put on a 74-run partnership for the third wicket, before late flourishes from Ridham Satyawan (31 off 19 balls) and Shahbaz Sandhu (38 not out off 23 deliveries) propelled them to 184/6 in 20 overs. Mohali Kings coach Harvinder Singh expressed satisfaction with how the teams tactical plans and player combinations were executed to get the desired result. Our team combination is something we are working on, and players have performed the way we were thinking. As soon as the tournament started, we counselled senior players about taking responsibility, so that was the plan today also that even if wickets were down, we will not lose patience and take the game till the end, Harvinder noted. Mohali Kings coach Harvinder Singh expressed satisfaction with how the teams tactical plans and player combinations were executed to get the desired result. Our team combination is something we are working on, and players have performed the way we were thinking. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories To youngsters, I say that trust your strength. I say control the controllables. In T20 cricket, it is all about momentum. These are some mental skills you use. Now the games are a knockout, so we want to give 110 percent in the next matches to win the trophy. Article Source: IANS
AIIMS Bathinda Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for Technical Assistant, Project Associate Posts
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bathinda (AIIMS Bathinda) Recruitment 2026 for 3 posts of Technical Assistant. Candidates with M.Sc, B.Sc Can Apply Online. The last date to apply online is 10-09-2026. The candidate shall apply online through AIIMS Bathinda official website aiimsbathinda.edu.in.
In Bathinda, Mann says BJP-led Centre not giving importance to Punjab
Punjab: 'Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan' begins from Bathinda
Fatehabad police arrest Bathinda man for rape and online blackmail
Akali Dal activists seek bribery case registration against Punjab CM's wife
Chandigarh, Sep 5 (IANS) Activists of the Istri Akali Dal, the official women's wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), led by Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday marched to the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to demand his resignation as well as registration of a criminal case against his wife Gurpreet Kaur, who is facing allegations of demanding Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. However, Gurpreet Kaur has already rejected the allegations, saying the charges are baseless. Meanwhile, the police put up barricades to stop the Istri Akali Dal members led by Harsimrat Badal, MLA Ganieve Kaur and the Women Wing President Hargobind Kaur from marching towards the Chief Minister's residence following which they staged a sit-in on the road and courted arrest. The women continued to hold the protest even after the senior SAD leaders were detained. Speaking on the occasion, Harsimrat Badal said the Chief Minister's office had become a den of corruption where crores were being sought by the latter's wife to let off a predator against whom two women had filed rape and kidnapping charges. She added that recent audio and visual evidence had revealed how Gurpreet Kaur's brother-in-law had sealed a deal with a colleague of the accused rapist and media influencer Guri Chahal for Rs 5 crore. Everyone has seen how Gurpreet Mann's relative Amardeep Grewal negotiated with the predator's colleague while sitting in a restaurant with the Chief Minister's wife and even shared a picture of the latter to establish his credentials, she alleged. Harsimrat Badal said, We have also seen how following the sealing of the deal with the Chief Minister's wife, the accused was let off within two months and was also allowed to flee to the United States. Asserting that the Akali Dal would launch a mass movement across the state until Gurpreet Kaur was not arrested, she also demanded the arrest of all other accused in the case, besides the dismissal of the police officers who had filed cancellations reports to favour the rape accused and facilitate his release from jail. Harsimrat Badal also called for extending protection to the rape victims who had registered complaints against the media influencer, besides demanding a CBI probe into the entire incident. It has also come to light that five women had personally complained to the Chief Minister against the same 'predator' but the latter did not take any action in the matter. This should also be probed to ascertain why the CM's office was siding with rapists. Meanwhile, warning people that the fire could reach their houses also, Istri Akali Dal leader Hargobind Kaur and Ganieve Kaur Majithia appealed to the people of Punjab to unite and fight for the cause of the wronged women as well as putting an end to corruption in the Chief Minister's office and residence.
Punjab Launches Fourth Season of
The fourth season of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan begins in Bathinda, featuring 38 sports and support for athletes from the Punjab government. Punjab Launches Fourth Season of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
AAP members lay siege to BJP office in Bathinda
Private school buses to stay off roads in Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala on Sep 3
Mohali Kings vs Bathinda Royals, Sher-E-Punjab T20 League 2026 Live Streaming
Mohali Kings face Bathinda Royals in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League at PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, on August 31, with Bathinda Royals opting to field after winning the toss.
Protests Erupt in Bathinda Over Unmet Demands of Civil Hospital Staff
Bathinda, August 26: Employees at the Civil Hospital in Bathinda, Punjab, staged a protest today over their long-standing demands. Key issues include equal pay for equal work, salary increases, gratuity, and the regularization of temporary staff. The protesters also supported the closure of Aam Aadmi Clinics in Bathinda district, claiming these facilities lack adequate resources. ... Read more Protests Erupt in Bathinda Over Unmet Demands of Civil Hospital Staff
Amid Bathinda Road Row, Opposition Alleges Police Crackdown, AAP Hits Back
The controversy centres around the newly constructed Kot Bhaiyya-Ramgarh Bhundar road.
Opposition Attacks Bhagwant Mann Government Over Bathinda Road Row
The controversy centres around the newly constructed Kot Bhaiyya-Ramgarh Bhundar road.
AIIMS Bathinda Counsellor Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bathinda has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for 2 Counsellor posts. The online application process will be conducted up to 10 September 2026. Eligible candidates can apply through the official website.
Akali Dal and BJP May Reunite Ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections
Sunam, August 20: Discussions about a potential alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have gained momentum ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. This speculation has been fueled by statements from SAD leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. During an event commemorating the death anniversary of former SAD ... Read more Akali Dal and BJP May Reunite Ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections
Punjab hosts the 4th Khedan Watan Punjab Dian with more than 10 lakh participants across 38 sports, including para events, and a free online registration system.
Punjab Politics | Explained: Why Sukhbir Badal Is Reaching Out To Gen Z Ahead Of 2027 Polls
Punjab's political battlefield is expanding beyond traditional vote banks, with Gen Z emerging as an increasingly important constituency ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The Congress is looking at younger faces, while the Shiromani Akali Dal is also trying to connect with young voters. Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal recently met protesting students in Bathinda and at Punjabi University in Patiala, signalling an attempt to reach out to a generation beyond the party's traditional support base. NDTV's Mohammed Ghazali brings you more on this.
Baghel asks workers to beware of traitors within Punjab Congress
Addressing the gathering in Bathinda, he said the next elections will not be fought by the candidates alone, but by the entire partys rank and file, underlining the need for strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level
PM Modi to Dedicate Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway Today, Delhi-Katra Travel Time to Halve
The project will reduce travel distance and time between Ludhiana and Bathinda, while also improving connectivity to other major economic centres, a release added.
A Chandigarh consumer commission has ordered a Bathinda rooftop restaurant to refund Rs 129 in service charge and pay Rs 5,000 as compensation after it was found to have automatically added the charge to a customer's bill without prior disclosure or consent, in violation of Central Consumer Protection Authority guidelines issued in 2022.
Punjab Police Anti-Gangster Task Force Arrests Four in Major Operation
Mumbai, June 30: The Punjab Police Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has successfully apprehended four suspects in a significant operation in Bathinda. The arrests followed an encounter between the police and the suspects. Authorities seized a Glock 9mm pistol, a .30 bore pistol, five live cartridges, and two empty shells from the suspects. According to information ... Read more Punjab Police Anti-Gangster Task Force Arrests Four in Major Operation
Attack on BJP Leaders Clinic in Bathinda Raises Security Concerns
Bathinda, June 23: In a shocking incident, unknown assailants reportedly hurled a petrol bomb at the clinic of BJP leader and doctor Tarsem Garg in Bathinda, Punjab, just before Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Manns visit on Wednesday. The attack has raised serious questions about law and order in the area, creating panic among residents. According ... Read more Attack on BJP Leaders Clinic in Bathinda Raises Security Concerns
Police Arrest Two Gangsters with Firearms in Bathinda
Chandigarh, June 13: The Punjab police are actively combating arms and drug trafficking in the state. Recently, they arrested two suspects in Bathinda, seizing weapons from their possession. Punjabs Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav shared the news on social media, stating, The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has apprehended two individuals in Bathinda. They ... Read more Police Arrest Two Gangsters with Firearms in Bathinda
JP Nadda Emphasizes Healthy India as a Foundation for Developed India 2047 Vision
New Delhi, June 2: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda addressed the second convocation ceremony at AIIMS Bathinda on Tuesday, congratulating the graduating students as they embark on their professional journeys. He praised the institutes growing contributions to tertiary healthcare, medical education, and research. Nadda commended the students for successfully completing their academic ... Read more JP Nadda Emphasizes Healthy India as a Foundation for Developed India 2047 Vision

