<p>Indian police said on Monday (April 10) that radical preacher Amritpal Singh's close aide Papalpreet Singh was detained under the National Security Act. He was nabbed in Amritsar district in India's northern state of Punjab.</p>

<p>"He (Papalpreet) is the main associate of Amritpal Singh. He has been arrested from Kathunangal area in Amritsar," said Sukhchain Singh Gill, Inspector General, Punjab Police.</p>

<p>He said Papalpreet has been detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and that six other cases have also been registered against him.</p>

<p>Earlier, officials said that Papalpreet was arrested in a Punjab Police operation that also had participation of counter-intelligence wing. They also said earlier that he was arrested in Hoshiarpur.</p>

<p>Papalpreet is considered to be Amritpal's mentor and has allegedly been in contact with Pakistan's ISI.</p>

<p>Inspector General Gill said further legal action will be taken against Papalpreet.</p>

<p>The police had been conducting searches at many places, including Hoshiarpur, to nab the duo who had been hoodwinking the securitymen since March 18 when police had launched a crackdown against the Khalistan sympathiser and his aides.</p>

<p>Papalpreet's detainment has come just days after a CCTV footage doing rounds on social media puprotedly showed Papalpreet at a place for religious congregation in Hoshiyarpur.</p>

<p>The footage is said to be of March 29, a day after a team of the counter intelligence wing chased an Innova car from Phagwara to Hoshiarpur after the police suspected that the fugitive and his aides could be in that vehicle.</p>

<p>The congregation seen in the video is in village Tanauli. The village is locate just couple kilometres from Marnaian village where the police had launched massive search operation.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Indian police said on Monday (April 10) that radical preacher Amritpal Singh's close aide Papalpreet Singh was detained under the National Security Act. He was nabbed in Amritsar district in India's northern state of Punjab.

Indian police said on Monday (April 10) that radical preacher Amritpal Singh's close aide Papalpreet Singh was detained under the National Security Act. He was nabbed in Amritsar district in India's northern state of Punjab. "He (Papalpreet) is the main associate of Amritpal Singh. He has been arrested from Kathunangal area in Amritsar," said Sukhchain Singh Gill, Inspector General, Punjab Police. He said Papalpreet has been detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and that six other cases have also been registered against him. Earlier, officials said that Papalpreet was arrested in a Punjab Police operation that also had participation of counter-intelligence wing. They also said earlier that he was arrested in Hoshiarpur. Papalpreet is considered to be Amritpal's mentor and has allegedly been in contact with Pakistan's ISI. Inspector General Gill said further legal action will be taken against Papalpreet. The police had been conducting searches at many places, including Hoshiarpur, to nab the duo who had been hoodwinking the securitymen since March 18 when police had launched a crackdown against the Khalistan sympathiser and his aides. Papalpreet's detainment has come just days after a CCTV footage doing rounds on social media puprotedly showed Papalpreet at a place for religious congregation in Hoshiyarpur. The footage is said to be of March 29, a day after a team of the counter intelligence wing chased an Innova car from Phagwara to Hoshiarpur after the police suspected that the fugitive and his aides could be in that vehicle. The congregation seen in the video is in village Tanauli. The village is locate just couple kilometres from Marnaian village where the police had launched massive search operation. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Amritpal Singh's close aide Papalpreet Singh nabbed in Amritsar

From heavy rainfall in India's Amritsar to environmental activists marching in Jakarta, here are some impactful images from around the world on 23 September 2022.

World in Pictures: Heavy rainfall in India's Amritsar; Environmental activists march in Jakarta

On 13 April 1919, at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab, a large, peaceful crowd gathered to protest against the Rowlatt Act of British colonial govt, and the detention of pro-independence activists.

India@75: Massacre that prompted Tagore to renounce his knighthood

<p>More than 100 passengers, travelling from Italy to India have been tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on arrival on Thursday (January 6), India-based news agency ANI reported citing the government officials.</p>

<p>VK Seth, who is the airport director said that as many as 125 passengers tested positive, who were flying in a chartered flight from Milan and landed in Amritsar, a city in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the officials, there were a total of 179 passengers on the charter flight YU-661 that landed at the Amritsar airport at around 1.30pm local time on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is important to note that Italy is one of the "at risk" countries according to the Indian Health Ministry. The news agency stated that all eligible passengers - 160 in this case - were tested for Covid and 125 of them were found to be positive.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-president-ram-nath-kovind-expresses-concern-over-pm-narendra-modis-security-breach-442642">Indian President Ram Nath Kovind expresses concern over PM Narendra Modi's security breach</a></strong></p>

<p>Officials were quoted as saying that out of total 179 passengers, 19 were children or infants so they were exempt from on-arrival RT-PCR testing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Officials mentioned that the charter flight between Milan in Italy and Amritsar in Punjab was operated by Portuguese company EuroAtlantic Airways.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Correction | 125 passengers of an international chartered flight from Italy have tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival at Amritsar airport. Total passengers on the flight were 179: VK Seth, Amritsar Airport Director <a href="https://t.co/AOVtkYmQiy">pic.twitter.com/AOVtkYmQiy</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1479028595909541891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>COVID-19 in India</strong></p>

<p>India on Thursday reported over 90,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours including 325 deaths. The health ministry said the daily positivity rate is currently at 6.43 per cent with 2,85,401 active cases in the country with the total number of cases reaching 90,928.</p>

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More than 100 passengers, travelling from Italy to India have been tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on arrival on Thursday (January 6), India-based news agency ANI reported citing the government officials.

More than 100 passengers, travelling from Italy to India have been tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on arrival on Thursday (January 6), India-based news agency ANI reported citing the government officials. VK Seth, who is the airport director said that as many as 125 passengers tested positive, who were flying in a chartered flight from Milan and landed in Amritsar, a city in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab. As per the officials, there were a total of 179 passengers on the charter flight YU-661 that landed at the Amritsar airport at around 1.30pm local time on Wednesday. It is important to note that Italy is one of the "at risk" countries according to the Indian Health Ministry. The news agency stated that all eligible passengers - 160 in this case - were tested for Covid and 125 of them were found to be positive. ALSO READ | Indian President Ram Nath Kovind expresses concern over PM Narendra Modi's security breach Officials were quoted as saying that out of total 179 passengers, 19 were children or infants so they were exempt from on-arrival RT-PCR testing. Officials mentioned that the charter flight between Milan in Italy and Amritsar in Punjab was operated by Portuguese company EuroAtlantic Airways. Correction | 125 passengers of an international chartered flight from Italy have tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival at Amritsar airport. Total passengers on the flight were 179: VK Seth, Amritsar Airport Director pic.twitter.com/AOVtkYmQiy — ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2022 × COVID-19 in India India on Thursday reported over 90,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours including 325 deaths. The health ministry said the daily positivity rate is currently at 6.43 per cent with 2,85,401 active cases in the country with the total number of cases reaching 90,928. ×

India: 125 passengers on charter flight from Italy to Amritsar test positive for COVID-19

<p><em>"So, here I am, a young-ish South African woman, living and working in India. &nbsp;As I write this, I have already had so many wonderful, crazy, terrifying, amazing adventures and experiences in this beautiful, soulful, heartbreaking country that's magic has made me love it and hate it sometimes a hundred times in a single day. I want to share some of the moments that have made me cry, cry with laughter, scream, hyperventilate, seriously worry, question my own sanity, love, and live, live to the fullest, where I have felt alive and living like nowhere else. &nbsp;This is India. &nbsp;</em></p>

<p><strong>The Golden Temple</strong></p>

<p>All I want is answers Universe, so I'm going to travel to one of the most spiritual places on earth to get them! &nbsp;</p>

<p>Unfortunately, as I have discovered, that is not always the way the world works, unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, because as I have also discovered, sometimes the most incredibly beautiful moments that really touch the deepest depths of your heart and soul are the moments in between, the ones you didn't plan, or the ones that accidently happen to you while you are on your way to the plans you have made. &nbsp;And this is how I happened upon a village in the middle of India, the last village before you reach Pakistan, where I met a child of about 9, who did me a kindness that was so unexpected and more generous than some millionaires would do for a strange stranger, that really made me know who I want to be, and how I want to be. &nbsp;This little boy is someone I think of often.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
I make my way to the golden temple at around 10am after a long, very early morning journey. &nbsp;I arrive at a lovely hotel, big, impersonal and anonymous, which is nice when one isn't even sure if one knows oneself. &nbsp;Asking those questions about who you are. &nbsp;Which after all is part of the reason for this journey, the answer to those questions, the quest of self-discovery. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Walking through the archway that leads to the magnificent sight that is the Golden Temple. &nbsp;This place is magical. &nbsp;A beautiful architectural marvel that is a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture.&nbsp;I feel a flutter through my heart, and that small seed of faith that was planted when I made my intentions clear, seems to have begun to sprout.</p>

<p>The next sight I notice is... the crowd. &nbsp;Literally, millions of people have come to this temple through the years, for their spiritual fulfilment, enlightenment, devotion, faith and belief . &nbsp;But I am convinced that most of them are here on this morning. &nbsp;So, my first reaction is, I'm not standing in that queue". &nbsp;So, I sit down on the edge of the water of the Amrit Sarovar, where there are devout men submerging themselves rhythmically in the water and praying. This is considered sacred by the devotees. Before offering prayers in the inner sanctum, they bathe in the holy water of the Sarovar. The Sikhs believe that spiritual possessions can be gained by taking a dip in the holy water of the sacred pool and legends say a dip in the Amrit Sarovar can cure ailments and disorders. &nbsp;I watch without staring, not keeping my eyes on any one worshipper, but the rhythm of the jump jump dip, jump jump dip is calming and the effect on me in the blazing sun with my feet dipped in the edge of the water washes a wave of emotion over me. &nbsp;I start crying, a sort of release of the pent-up frustrations of all the recent challenges. &nbsp;And after a while, I slowly stand up and walk toward the back of the endless queue to walk through the Golden Temple to say a prayer.</p>

<p>Standing in this line with all these bodies all packed so closely along the bridge that leads to the architectural marvel, it is boiling hot, there are fans every few meters that offer a slight relief momentarily when they face your way, but in the sticky uncomfortable mass of bodies there is a feeling of togetherness. &nbsp;We are all people, just trying to explore our faith and maybe find a purpose or a reason or some meaning.</p>

<p>There are the most beautiful acts of service performed here, every person who works at the Golden Temple is a volunteer. &nbsp;And the entire place is run on donations. The langar sewa is the largest free kitchen in the world and serves fifty thousand meals on a daily basis, all provided through donations. &nbsp; &nbsp;There are cups of water distributed through the crowd. &nbsp;A woman faints from heat exhaustion and she is carried ahead to an area of shade and people make way and give her water and fan her to help cool her. &nbsp;Such a feeling of care and solidarity to your fellow human. &nbsp;</p>

<p>After being in line for almost two hours I finally reached the entrance, it really is beautiful and an incredibly holy place, there are prayers being offered and rituals practiced in the center, &nbsp;priests chant from the holy Guru Granth Sahib, while we all walk around and through the temple. &nbsp;Some make signs on their hearts and heads and bow in prayer; others kiss their hands and touch them to the walls and columns. The foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid by a Sufi saint called Mian Mir and the sacred gurudwara is open to devotees of all faiths, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. &nbsp;The four entrances to the temple symbolize this.</p>

<p>I make my way through this holy sight and say a quiet prayer and as I exit there is a man with what I assume is holy water and everyone puts their hands in and drinks a little, they are then handed some sweet Kara Parshad, I learn this name later. At the time, I don't know what it is, and it is literally being handed to me out of a huge bowl by a man dishing out handfuls straight from his hand. &nbsp;I am in India and have been warned about the water and the cleanliness and hygiene of food, and to be careful where to eat and what to eat. &nbsp;But after my beautiful experience I feel brave, and with another prayer that I will be okay, "Oh well, &nbsp;I think, in for a penny, in for a pound" and dip my hands into the water and take a sip and then accept the sweet offering from the kind old man. &nbsp;Sweet prasad is delicious, it's all I can do not to pull an Oliver Twist and ask for more.</p>

<p>I wander around the temple for a while longer,&nbsp;watching the volunteers going about their duties and the devout praying and finding solace, some of the women minding children who play quietly. &nbsp;The whole place is really magical. I am touched deeply and feel something profound; I feel at peace. A kind of patience and lack of worry and a feeling of belonging.</p>

<p>I leave feeling like I have just had my India moment, almost like my own version of Eat, Pray, Love.</p>

<p>I decide to find myself some lunch and then make my way to the border for the beating retreat ceremony. &nbsp;This I have been told is "Really worthwhile"....".</p>


"So, here I am, a young-ish South African woman, living and working in India. As I write this, I have already had so many wonderful, crazy, terrifying, amazing adventures and experiences in this beautiful, soulful, heartbreaking country that's magic has made me love it and hate it sometimes a hundred times in a single day.

"So, here I am, a young-ish South African woman, living and working in India. As I write this, I have already had so many wonderful, crazy, terrifying, amazing adventures and experiences in this beautiful, soulful, heartbreaking country that's magic has made me love it and hate it sometimes a hundred times in a single day. I want to share some of the moments that have made me cry, cry with laughter, scream, hyperventilate, seriously worry, question my own sanity, love, and live, live to the fullest, where I have felt alive and living like nowhere else. This is India. The Golden Temple All I want is answers Universe, so I'm going to travel to one of the most spiritual places on earth to get them! Unfortunately, as I have discovered, that is not always the way the world works, unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, because as I have also discovered, sometimes the most incredibly beautiful moments that really touch the deepest depths of your heart and soul are the moments in between, the ones you didn't plan, or the ones that accidently happen to you while you are on your way to the plans you have made. And this is how I happened upon a village in the middle of India, the last village before you reach Pakistan, where I met a child of about 9, who did me a kindness that was so unexpected and more generous than some millionaires would do for a strange stranger, that really made me know who I want to be, and how I want to be. This little boy is someone I think of often. I make my way to the golden temple at around 10am after a long, very early morning journey. I arrive at a lovely hotel, big, impersonal and anonymous, which is nice when one isn't even sure if one knows oneself. Asking those questions about who you are. Which after all is part of the reason for this journey, the answer to those questions, the quest of self-discovery. Walking through the archway that leads to the magnificent sight that is the Golden Temple. This place is magical. A beautiful architectural marvel that is a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. I feel a flutter through my heart, and that small seed of faith that was planted when I made my intentions clear, seems to have begun to sprout. The next sight I notice is... the crowd. Literally, millions of people have come to this temple through the years, for their spiritual fulfilment, enlightenment, devotion, faith and belief . But I am convinced that most of them are here on this morning. So, my first reaction is, I'm not standing in that queue". So, I sit down on the edge of the water of the Amrit Sarovar, where there are devout men submerging themselves rhythmically in the water and praying. This is considered sacred by the devotees. Before offering prayers in the inner sanctum, they bathe in the holy water of the Sarovar. The Sikhs believe that spiritual possessions can be gained by taking a dip in the holy water of the sacred pool and legends say a dip in the Amrit Sarovar can cure ailments and disorders. I watch without staring, not keeping my eyes on any one worshipper, but the rhythm of the jump jump dip, jump jump dip is calming and the effect on me in the blazing sun with my feet dipped in the edge of the water washes a wave of emotion over me. I start crying, a sort of release of the pent-up frustrations of all the recent challenges. And after a while, I slowly stand up and walk toward the back of the endless queue to walk through the Golden Temple to say a prayer. Standing in this line with all these bodies all packed so closely along the bridge that leads to the architectural marvel, it is boiling hot, there are fans every few meters that offer a slight relief momentarily when they face your way, but in the sticky uncomfortable mass of bodies there is a feeling of togetherness. We are all people, just trying to explore our faith and maybe find a purpose or a reason or some meaning. There are the most beautiful acts of service performed here, every person who works at the Golden Temple is a volunteer. And the entire place is run on donations. The langar sewa is the largest free kitchen in the world and serves fifty thousand meals on a daily basis, all provided through donations. There are cups of water distributed through the crowd. A woman faints from heat exhaustion and she is carried ahead to an area of shade and people make way and give her water and fan her to help cool her. Such a feeling of care and solidarity to your fellow human. After being in line for almost two hours I finally reached the entrance, it really is beautiful and an incredibly holy place, there are prayers being offered and rituals practiced in the center, priests chant from the holy Guru Granth Sahib, while we all walk around and through the temple. Some make signs on their hearts and heads and bow in prayer; others kiss their hands and touch them to the walls and columns. The foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid by a Sufi saint called Mian Mir and the sacred gurudwara is open to devotees of all faiths, irrespective of religion, caste or creed. The four entrances to the temple symbolize this. I make my way through this holy sight and say a quiet prayer and as I exit there is a man with what I assume is holy water and everyone puts their hands in and drinks a little, they are then handed some sweet Kara Parshad, I learn this name later. At the time, I don't know what it is, and it is literally being handed to me out of a huge bowl by a man dishing out handfuls straight from his hand. I am in India and have been warned about the water and the cleanliness and hygiene of food, and to be careful where to eat and what to eat. But after my beautiful experience I feel brave, and with another prayer that I will be okay, "Oh well, I think, in for a penny, in for a pound" and dip my hands into the water and take a sip and then accept the sweet offering from the kind old man. Sweet prasad is delicious, it's all I can do not to pull an Oliver Twist and ask for more. I wander around the temple for a while longer, watching the volunteers going about their duties and the devout praying and finding solace, some of the women minding children who play quietly. The whole place is really magical. I am touched deeply and feel something profound; I feel at peace. A kind of patience and lack of worry and a feeling of belonging. I leave feeling like I have just had my India moment, almost like my own version of Eat, Pray, Love. I decide to find myself some lunch and then make my way to the border for the beating retreat ceremony. This I have been told is "Really worthwhile"....".

Discovering India with Alyson Le Grange: My 'Eat, Pray and Love' moment at Golden temple

<p>It’s one of those experiences you can’t Not have when visiting Amritsar. Even if you haven’t heard of the Beating-the-Retreat ceremony (and I suppose most foreigners haven’t) you will definitely wonder what the fuss is about because every tuk-tuk driver on the streets of the city will offer to take you to Wagah—a drive of half-an-hour from Amritsar at the India-Pakistan border—and bring you back, for varying sums of money.</p>

<p>The ceremony that involves lowering of flags and a spirited display by soldiers of India and Pakistan, was instituted in 1959, and takes place before sunset every day. It’s quite the highlight for visitors to Amritsar and was certainly on my itinerary.</p>

<p>I left the Golden Temple filled with a sense of peace…a strange calm, not sure how to articulate it. I think a kind of quiet confidence comes close to describing how I felt.</p>

<p><img alt="Alyson Le Grange Wion foreign anchor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc8f523c-2c47-4031-b97a-0a01aead2828" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/alyson%20le%20grange.JPG" /></p>

<p>Hubris creeps up on you when you aren’t careful, and then, something happens that brings you back to mother Earth…my thoughts were interrupted by yet another gentleman offering to take me to the border. He seemed quite expensive but I was too exhausted to scout for a better deal and I felt that I really wanted to travel in comfort especially after the tough time I had been having and after being on my feet for hours at the Golden Temple—this was during the north-Indian summer with the mercury soaring well over 40 degrees Celsius—I decided to give myself a break. The prospect of having an entire ‘air-conditioned car’ to myself, seemed too good to resist.</p>

<p>Not only that, but the man also kindly threw in a visit to a temple and a lunch at a famous ‘dhaba’—roadside eatery—in the package before dropping me back to the hotel.</p>

<p>This sounded good.&nbsp;</p>

<p>I felt like I had managed to arrange another wonderful experience, I felt like things were flowing, like maybe I must have tapped into something during my Golden Temple experience.</p>

<p>A friend of mine once remarked that I have very ‘strange luck’, and, now that I think about it, I think that she meant that the big picture, when it reveals itself to me, finally helps me make sense of events that did not seem particularly fun when they occurred. I suppose that's the same for most of us. On this occasion, things were going well enough until Ash, my driver, who'd asked me to wait while he pulled the car out, disappeared. My Hindi was basic at that point and Ash’s English, well, was worse than my Hindi. I was waiting for a while and just when I began wondering if I had, in fact, been conned, that a vehicle came sputtering along in my direction.</p>

<p>Now, this wasn’t exactly the fancy ride I’d been expecting; it was a jeep all right but looked a bit like the original article—the very first jeep ever produced. Just when I was hoping this wasn’t my ride Ash leaned out of the window and gestured that I should hop in. At this point, I had serious reservations, but Ash looked so eager and excited that I didn’t want to pour cold water on his plans. So it was, in an ancient jalopy, which looked like it might fall apart any minute and in fact the cubby hole fell off and landed on my leg, that the two of us began our journey to the Wagah border.</p>

<p>Our first stop was at a temple in a place called Mahindra Colony. Beautifully ornate, and decorated with stone carvings of deities, it was a great start and had me feeling somewhat mollified with the way things were going.</p>

<p>But I was hungry; it was already late afternoon and I’m not ashamed to admit that I get notoriously grumpy on an empty stomach.</p>

<p>Ash noticed my impatience and indicated that our next stop was for lunch, which was a relief. Just when I was thinking about the delicious Punjabi food I’d order when, exactly what I’d been afraid of happened: our venerable ride, decided it had had enough, sputtered, wheezed, and died.</p>

<p>I looked over at Ash as he guided the freewheeling vehicle to a stop by the curb; he looked somewhat bewildered, as if confused about what had just happened. I couldn’t understand what he was trying to explain to me (in Hindi, or Punjabi I’m not sure) but I was quite certain that the argument had no merit. This was not good.</p>

<p>We looked at each other blankly for a while before he motioned for me to disembark from the car and led me to a room-sized metal box on the roadside masquerading as a shop. &nbsp;</p>

<p>There were boxes of sweets, packets of cigarettes, and a tiny fridge stocked with fizzy drinks. The proprietor was lounging a little way away; Ash roused him and asked, presumably, if I could use the solitary chair facing a small fan to wait.</p>

<p>So, here I was, A South African girl, with little knowledge of India, no communication skills in the native tongue, sitting on a chair, in a small shop that was located on the side of the highway pretty much in the middle of nowhere in the hinterland of Punjab. For a moment I nearly gave in to panic but something kept me together. Maybe it was the epiphany I’d had at the Golden Temple, the inner peace I felt had not left me and I began to consider my situation rationally. I reached for my phone to call for help and realised, to my despair, that it had zero connectivity. I looked over at Ash, who pulled out his phone (that appeared to be the same vintage as our jeep) and shrugged—his phone was of no use either.</p>

<p>This was the point that the edifice started crumbling. In spite of my best efforts, panic began to set in. I began walking up and down, holding my phone in the air as high as I could to get some signal.&nbsp;I could no longer see my driver; Ash had disappeared, presumably to get help, he hadn’t said a word to me and as I sat on that little chair, I felt at a complete loss. Unsure of what to do next, unsure of what lay in store.</p>

<p>It was at this moment that the universe took pity on me. From the corner of my eye I noticed curious little faces peering at me from around the corner of a wall. &nbsp;These children, obviously fascinated by this unexpected visitor slowly overcame their fear and inched closer to me. I suppose they must have been between five-to-twelve years old, and they looked so sweet and inquisitive that I momentarily forgot my predicament and gave them a big smile.&nbsp;I could imagine how strange I must have looked to them: a white woman, wearing traditional Indian wear, headscarf and big glasses, blonde hair sticking out from beneath the scarf. Encouraged by my smile, they grew brave, came right over, and said hello.</p>

<p><img alt="Alyson Le Grange Wion foreign anchor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ca24ed77-e5e9-4a58-a40d-aae8cd60fbc1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/alyson.JPG" /></p>

<p>They had obviously seen me prancing up and down vainly seeking mobile connectivity. One little boy in a red turban whipped out his phone and came up to me with both hands outstretched, his phone in one hand and I handed him mine.&nbsp;He quickly linked my phone to his mobile hotspot and returned it to me. &nbsp;</p>

<p>I was back! &nbsp;Connected to the world at large! &nbsp;</p>

<p>My phone started buzzing off the hook and I quickly called Naresh, Ash’s boss, and told him what had happened. It turned out that Ash had already been there and was on his way back to me in a new vehicle. I was so relieved I could have cried.</p>

<p>The children and I spent the next 20 minutes or so, taking selfies. There was a little girl named Khushi (which I was told later means happiness) and that kind kind little boy who had been my knight in shining armor. I offered him some money for his help that I regretted immediately as he shyly recoiled from the offer. I bought all the sweets in the shop for the children and that’s when Ash rolled in—this time driving a shiny new jeep.</p>

<p>I got in, and my heart grew heavy as I waved goodbye to the children who waved and chased the car for as long as they could, as we resumed our journey.</p>

<p>I don’t think they realised that they’d saved me, re-instated my faith in the inherent goodness of humanity as it were. That little boy’s actions not only allowed me to get in touch with who I needed to but restored my belief that the human connection—one that transcends language, countries, and cultures,—is the one connection that we can always count on. That moment I felt, even in such a foreign place, that I was not alone. And that feeling was worth everything.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/blog-langar-satnam-and-sikhism-my-eat-pray-and-love-moment-at-golden-temple-366462">Blog: Langar, Satnam and Sikhism — My eat, pray and love moment at Golden temple</a></strong></p>

<p>With these thoughts running in my head, I barely noticed as we rolled into the ‘Lahore Dhaba’ for lunch. My hunger pangs which had subsided in the wake of my predicament came rushing back with a vengeance. Now I don’t have to tell you, dear reader, just how delicious Punjabi food, especially in Amritsar, can be, but at that moment, it was, by far, the most delectable meal I’ve ever had. Feeling full and refreshed, I continued on my journey.</p>

<p><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</strong></p>


It’s one of those experiences you can’t Not have when visiting Amritsar. Even if you haven’t heard of the Beating-the-Retreat ceremony (and I suppose most foreigners haven’t) you will definitely wonder what the fuss is about because every tuk-tuk driver on the streets of the city will offer to take you to Wagah—a drive of half-an-hour from Amritsar at the India-Pakistan border—and bring you back, for varying sums of money.

It’s one of those experiences you can’t Not have when visiting Amritsar. Even if you haven’t heard of the Beating-the-Retreat ceremony (and I suppose most foreigners haven’t) you will definitely wonder what the fuss is about because every tuk-tuk driver on the streets of the city will offer to take you to Wagah—a drive of half-an-hour from Amritsar at the India-Pakistan border—and bring you back, for varying sums of money. The ceremony that involves lowering of flags and a spirited display by soldiers of India and Pakistan, was instituted in 1959, and takes place before sunset every day. It’s quite the highlight for visitors to Amritsar and was certainly on my itinerary. I left the Golden Temple filled with a sense of peace…a strange calm, not sure how to articulate it. I think a kind of quiet confidence comes close to describing how I felt. Hubris creeps up on you when you aren’t careful, and then, something happens that brings you back to mother Earth…my thoughts were interrupted by yet another gentleman offering to take me to the border. He seemed quite expensive but I was too exhausted to scout for a better deal and I felt that I really wanted to travel in comfort especially after the tough time I had been having and after being on my feet for hours at the Golden Temple—this was during the north-Indian summer with the mercury soaring well over 40 degrees Celsius—I decided to give myself a break. The prospect of having an entire ‘air-conditioned car’ to myself, seemed too good to resist. Not only that, but the man also kindly threw in a visit to a temple and a lunch at a famous ‘dhaba’—roadside eatery—in the package before dropping me back to the hotel. This sounded good. I felt like I had managed to arrange another wonderful experience, I felt like things were flowing, like maybe I must have tapped into something during my Golden Temple experience. A friend of mine once remarked that I have very ‘strange luck’, and, now that I think about it, I think that she meant that the big picture, when it reveals itself to me, finally helps me make sense of events that did not seem particularly fun when they occurred. I suppose that's the same for most of us. On this occasion, things were going well enough until Ash, my driver, who'd asked me to wait while he pulled the car out, disappeared. My Hindi was basic at that point and Ash’s English, well, was worse than my Hindi. I was waiting for a while and just when I began wondering if I had, in fact, been conned, that a vehicle came sputtering along in my direction. Now, this wasn’t exactly the fancy ride I’d been expecting; it was a jeep all right but looked a bit like the original article—the very first jeep ever produced. Just when I was hoping this wasn’t my ride Ash leaned out of the window and gestured that I should hop in. At this point, I had serious reservations, but Ash looked so eager and excited that I didn’t want to pour cold water on his plans. So it was, in an ancient jalopy, which looked like it might fall apart any minute and in fact the cubby hole fell off and landed on my leg, that the two of us began our journey to the Wagah border. Our first stop was at a temple in a place called Mahindra Colony. Beautifully ornate, and decorated with stone carvings of deities, it was a great start and had me feeling somewhat mollified with the way things were going. But I was hungry; it was already late afternoon and I’m not ashamed to admit that I get notoriously grumpy on an empty stomach. Ash noticed my impatience and indicated that our next stop was for lunch, which was a relief. Just when I was thinking about the delicious Punjabi food I’d order when, exactly what I’d been afraid of happened: our venerable ride, decided it had had enough, sputtered, wheezed, and died. I looked over at Ash as he guided the freewheeling vehicle to a stop by the curb; he looked somewhat bewildered, as if confused about what had just happened. I couldn’t understand what he was trying to explain to me (in Hindi, or Punjabi I’m not sure) but I was quite certain that the argument had no merit. This was not good. We looked at each other blankly for a while before he motioned for me to disembark from the car and led me to a room-sized metal box on the roadside masquerading as a shop. There were boxes of sweets, packets of cigarettes, and a tiny fridge stocked with fizzy drinks. The proprietor was lounging a little way away; Ash roused him and asked, presumably, if I could use the solitary chair facing a small fan to wait. So, here I was, A South African girl, with little knowledge of India, no communication skills in the native tongue, sitting on a chair, in a small shop that was located on the side of the highway pretty much in the middle of nowhere in the hinterland of Punjab. For a moment I nearly gave in to panic but something kept me together. Maybe it was the epiphany I’d had at the Golden Temple, the inner peace I felt had not left me and I began to consider my situation rationally. I reached for my phone to call for help and realised, to my despair, that it had zero connectivity. I looked over at Ash, who pulled out his phone (that appeared to be the same vintage as our jeep) and shrugged—his phone was of no use either. This was the point that the edifice started crumbling. In spite of my best efforts, panic began to set in. I began walking up and down, holding my phone in the air as high as I could to get some signal. I could no longer see my driver; Ash had disappeared, presumably to get help, he hadn’t said a word to me and as I sat on that little chair, I felt at a complete loss. Unsure of what to do next, unsure of what lay in store. It was at this moment that the universe took pity on me. From the corner of my eye I noticed curious little faces peering at me from around the corner of a wall. These children, obviously fascinated by this unexpected visitor slowly overcame their fear and inched closer to me. I suppose they must have been between five-to-twelve years old, and they looked so sweet and inquisitive that I momentarily forgot my predicament and gave them a big smile. I could imagine how strange I must have looked to them: a white woman, wearing traditional Indian wear, headscarf and big glasses, blonde hair sticking out from beneath the scarf. Encouraged by my smile, they grew brave, came right over, and said hello. They had obviously seen me prancing up and down vainly seeking mobile connectivity. One little boy in a red turban whipped out his phone and came up to me with both hands outstretched, his phone in one hand and I handed him mine. He quickly linked my phone to his mobile hotspot and returned it to me. I was back! Connected to the world at large! My phone started buzzing off the hook and I quickly called Naresh, Ash’s boss, and told him what had happened. It turned out that Ash had already been there and was on his way back to me in a new vehicle. I was so relieved I could have cried. The children and I spent the next 20 minutes or so, taking selfies. There was a little girl named Khushi (which I was told later means happiness) and that kind kind little boy who had been my knight in shining armor. I offered him some money for his help that I regretted immediately as he shyly recoiled from the offer. I bought all the sweets in the shop for the children and that’s when Ash rolled in—this time driving a shiny new jeep. I got in, and my heart grew heavy as I waved goodbye to the children who waved and chased the car for as long as they could, as we resumed our journey. I don’t think they realised that they’d saved me, re-instated my faith in the inherent goodness of humanity as it were. That little boy’s actions not only allowed me to get in touch with who I needed to but restored my belief that the human connection—one that transcends language, countries, and cultures,—is the one connection that we can always count on. That moment I felt, even in such a foreign place, that I was not alone. And that feeling was worth everything. Also Read | Blog: Langar, Satnam and Sikhism — My eat, pray and love moment at Golden temple With these thoughts running in my head, I barely noticed as we rolled into the ‘Lahore Dhaba’ for lunch. My hunger pangs which had subsided in the wake of my predicament came rushing back with a vengeance. Now I don’t have to tell you, dear reader, just how delicious Punjabi food, especially in Amritsar, can be, but at that moment, it was, by far, the most delectable meal I’ve ever had. Feeling full and refreshed, I continued on my journey. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Discovering India with Alyson Le Grange: The boy in the red turban

<p>A special rescue flight took off from&nbsp;Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar for United Kingdom (UK). The flight was a joint initiative of the UK and Indian government to help the UK nationals stranded in India.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/swedish-police-find-body-of-missing-baloch-journalist-296195"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Swedish police find body of missing Baloch journalist</strong></a></p>

<p>Around 217 UK nationals boarded the flight which was scheduled&nbsp;to take off at 2:30 AM from Amritsar, amid the lockdown. The UK nationals also included Indian-origin UK nationals.</p>

<p>"I came here on January 24. After the lockdown was imposed we had to stay here. We would like to thank the Indian citizens for assistance. As compared to other countries, India is doing really well amid the COVID-19 crisis,"&nbsp;Shingara Singh, a UK national onboard the rescue flight was quoted by ANI.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pak-summons-senior-indian-diplomat-over-alleged-ceasefire-violation-296267"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Pak summons senior Indian diplomat over alleged ceasefire violation</strong></a></p>

<p>This is the third rescue flight to fly off from the same airport in Amritsar in the past one month. Earlier, around 500 non-Indians have been rescued by the UK government from Amritsar's&nbsp;Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport.</p>

<p><i>(With inputs from ANI)</i></p>


A special rescue flight took off from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar for United Kingdom (UK). The flight was a joint initiative of the UK and Indian government to help the UK nationals stranded in India.

A special rescue flight took off from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar for United Kingdom (UK). The flight was a joint initiative of the UK and Indian government to help the UK nationals stranded in India. Also read: Swedish police find body of missing Baloch journalist Around 217 UK nationals boarded the flight which was scheduled to take off at 2:30 AM from Amritsar, amid the lockdown. The UK nationals also included Indian-origin UK nationals. "I came here on January 24. After the lockdown was imposed we had to stay here. We would like to thank the Indian citizens for assistance. As compared to other countries, India is doing really well amid the COVID-19 crisis," Shingara Singh, a UK national onboard the rescue flight was quoted by ANI. Also read: Pak summons senior Indian diplomat over alleged ceasefire violation This is the third rescue flight to fly off from the same airport in Amritsar in the past one month. Earlier, around 500 non-Indians have been rescued by the UK government from Amritsar's Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport. (With inputs from ANI)

Special flight rescues 271 stranded UK nationals from Amritsar

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on April 13, 1919. British troops fired on hundreds of unarmed men, women and children in Amritsar. Official records put the death toll at 379, but historians say the number was closer to 1,000. 101 years on, Britain has not apologised for this deeply shameful chapter of its colonial past. Why do India's calls for a formal state apology from the British government continue to fall on deaf ears? Kishwar Desai, author of 'Jallianwala Bagh, 1919: The Real-Story' explains.

Jallianwala Bagh: Lest We Forget

<p>After seeking blessings at the T<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/deepika-padukone-ranveer-singh-kickstart-anniversray-celebrations-with-a-visit-to-tirupati-temple-261978">irumala Tirupati temple on Wednesday</a>, Bollywood power-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh paid a visit to Golden Temple in Amritsar in the early hours of Thursday. The couple is celebrating their first wedding anniversary.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et">"Gratitude ✨ <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deepikapadukone</a>" -Ranveer Singh on Instagram <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeepveerAnniversary?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeepveerAnniversary</a> <a href="https://t.co/eZR3tCNfbz">pic.twitter.com/eZR3tCNfbz</a></p>
— Deepika Padukone FC (@DeepikaPFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepikaPFC/status/1195188625128001536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">[PIC-2] Padukone-Bhavnani clan: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh with their families at the Golden Temple in Amritsar today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HappyAnniversaryDeepVeer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HappyAnniversaryDeepVeer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeepveerAnniversary?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeepveerAnniversary</a> <a href="https://t.co/LwkB2P92aL">pic.twitter.com/LwkB2P92aL</a></p>
— Deepika Padukone FC (@DeepikaPFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepikaPFC/status/1195184738660737025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Accompanied by their parents and sisters, the couple went to Golden Temple on Thursday morning. A year back, on this day, the couple had tied the knot in a traditional Sikh ceremony in Lake Como, Italy. They also had a Konkani ceremony a day earlier.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Deepika and Ranveer coordinated their outfits in purple for their visit to the Golden temple. Both their outfits have been designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On Wednesday, they had visited the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh along with their families. The couple had later posted a photo on their respective social media accounts thanking fans for the love and support. "As we celebrate our first wedding anniversary, we seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. Thank You all for your love, prayers and good wishes! @ranveersingh,” Deepika Padukone captioned.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B41Wz4bAVK0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">As we celebrate our first wedding anniversary,we seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara.Thank You all for your love,prayers and good wishes! @ranveersingh</a></p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B43xntcAlPZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone)</a> on <time datetime="2019-11-15T03:46:08+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 14, 2019 at 7:46pm PST</time></p>
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<p>The couple tied the knot in a two-day ceremony in Lake Como, Italy in 2018. They had later hosted multiple reception parties in India.&nbsp;</p>


After seeking blessings at the Tirumala Tirupati temple on Wednesday, Bollywood power-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh paid a visit to Golden Temple in Amritsar in the early hours of Thursday.

After seeking blessings at the Tirumala Tirupati temple on Wednesday, Bollywood power-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh paid a visit to Golden Temple in Amritsar in the early hours of Thursday. The couple is celebrating their first wedding anniversary. "Gratitude ✨ @deepikapadukone" -Ranveer Singh on Instagram #DeepveerAnniversary pic.twitter.com/eZR3tCNfbz — Deepika Padukone FC (@DeepikaPFC) November 15, 2019 × [PIC-2] Padukone-Bhavnani clan: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh with their families at the Golden Temple in Amritsar today #HappyAnniversaryDeepVeer #DeepveerAnniversary pic.twitter.com/LwkB2P92aL — Deepika Padukone FC (@DeepikaPFC) November 15, 2019 × Accompanied by their parents and sisters, the couple went to Golden Temple on Thursday morning. A year back, on this day, the couple had tied the knot in a traditional Sikh ceremony in Lake Como, Italy. They also had a Konkani ceremony a day earlier. Deepika and Ranveer coordinated their outfits in purple for their visit to the Golden temple. Both their outfits have been designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee. On Wednesday, they had visited the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh along with their families. The couple had later posted a photo on their respective social media accounts thanking fans for the love and support. "As we celebrate our first wedding anniversary, we seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. Thank You all for your love, prayers and good wishes! @ranveersingh,” Deepika Padukone captioned. View this post on Instagram As we celebrate our first wedding anniversary,we seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara.Thank You all for your love,prayers and good wishes! @ranveersingh A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Nov 13, 2019 at 9:13pm PST × View this post on Instagram A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Nov 14, 2019 at 7:46pm PST × The couple tied the knot in a two-day ceremony in Lake Como, Italy in 2018. They had later hosted multiple reception parties in India.

Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh pray at the Golden Temple, Amritsar along with their families

<p>Over 90 heads of foreign missions in India embarked on a visit to Amritsar's Golden Temple on Tuesday to take part in celebrations to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.</p>

<p>Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe are accompanying the heads of missions.</p>

<p>The group of diplomats includes ambassadors of Australia, Magnolia, Murako, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar Maldives, Nepal, and Srilanka. Deputy Chief of US Missions is also present.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The visit is being organised by the ICCR in collaboration with the state government of Punjab and the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee.</p>

<p>It was organised after the union cabinet decided to celebrate the occasion in a grand manner throughout the country and across the globe, according to an official statement.</p>


Over 90 heads of foreign missions in India embarked on a visit to Amritsar's Golden Temple on Tuesday to take part in celebrations to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

Over 90 heads of foreign missions in India embarked on a visit to Amritsar's Golden Temple on Tuesday to take part in celebrations to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe are accompanying the heads of missions. The group of diplomats includes ambassadors of Australia, Magnolia, Murako, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar Maldives, Nepal, and Srilanka. Deputy Chief of US Missions is also present. The visit is being organised by the ICCR in collaboration with the state government of Punjab and the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee. It was organised after the union cabinet decided to celebrate the occasion in a grand manner throughout the country and across the globe, according to an official statement.

Heads of over 90 foreign missions in India to visit Golden Temple today 

A partition museum in India's northern Amritsar city of Punjab, organised a special program dedicated to the Sindhi Hindu community that came from Pakistan to India during the partition of 1947.

Sindhi Hindu community remembers homeland on partition remembrance day in India

<p>Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has invited <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-hits-out-at-poor-railways-as-crash-kills-11-injures-dozens-234939/amp&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwih6dbElK_jAhUaT48KHVuzABcQFjABegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3NM6h8DL3VRBTOWypX8nku">Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> to take part in the grand 'Nagar kirtan', scheduled to commence from Nanka Sahib in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/death-toll-in-pakistan-train-collision-rises-to-23-235228&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwih6dbElK_jAhUaT48KHVuzABcQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Ss4m8SlmSfol4bWqvSoz_">Pakistan</a>, on the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak.</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI, President of SGPC, Gobind Singh Longowal said that Punjab Chief Minister <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-leaders-disappointed-over-rahul-gandhis-resignation-urge-to-rethink-his-decision-232884&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj27uP1lK_jAhVGnY8KHSSNAE8QFjAGegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LQmQi6y1yQ-ugCcSpRQ4D">Amarinder Singh</a> and Governor VP Singh Badnore have also been invited to attend the `kirtan` in Pakistan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">GS Longowal, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President has invited Pakistan PM Imran Khan for participating in grand 'nagar kirtan' beginning from Gurudwara Nankana Sahib,to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th birth anniversary on July 25. <a href="https://t.co/JKgHybVgQj">pic.twitter.com/JKgHybVgQj</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1149627440223809536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"On July 25, after a holy ritual, the Nagar kirtan will commence from Nankana Sahib, the place where Guru Nanak was born," Longowal said.</p>

<p>He said that as many as 550 devotees, including prominent religious leaders, will go to Pakistan for the ritual.</p>

<p>"On the arrival of the Nagar kirtan at the Attari-Wagah border, leaders such as Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal are scheduled to welcome the devotees, for which a formal invitation has been sent to them," said the president of SGPC.</p>

<p>Longowal said that Sikhs who live outside the country have also been invited to be a part of the event.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has invited Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take part in the grand 'Nagar kirtan', scheduled to commence from Nanka Sahib in Pakistan, on the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has invited Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take part in the grand 'Nagar kirtan', scheduled to commence from Nanka Sahib in Pakistan, on the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak. Speaking to ANI, President of SGPC, Gobind Singh Longowal said that Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Governor VP Singh Badnore have also been invited to attend the `kirtan` in Pakistan. GS Longowal, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President has invited Pakistan PM Imran Khan for participating in grand 'nagar kirtan' beginning from Gurudwara Nankana Sahib,to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th birth anniversary on July 25. pic.twitter.com/JKgHybVgQj — ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2019 × "On July 25, after a holy ritual, the Nagar kirtan will commence from Nankana Sahib, the place where Guru Nanak was born," Longowal said. He said that as many as 550 devotees, including prominent religious leaders, will go to Pakistan for the ritual. "On the arrival of the Nagar kirtan at the Attari-Wagah border, leaders such as Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal are scheduled to welcome the devotees, for which a formal invitation has been sent to them," said the president of SGPC. Longowal said that Sikhs who live outside the country have also been invited to be a part of the event.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee invites Pakistan PM Imran Khan to attend nagar kirtan

<p>The Centre on Wednesday informed Rajya Sabha that a pilot project has been approved to replace the existing old design or composite fencing with a new "anti-cut" and "anti-rust" modular fencing in 7.18 kilometres India-Pakistan border length in Amritsar.</p>

<p>Replying to a question on "what measures government took for progress of pilot project for security of India-Pak border in Punjab" raised by opposition in the House, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Rajya Sabha, "A pilot project has been approved to replace the existing old design/composite fencing with a new "anti-cut" and "anti-rust" modular fencing in 7.18 km border length in Amritsar and work has recently been awarded.</p>

<p>"Two Pilot projects have been taken up to replace the existing "old design/composite fencing" with a new "anti-cut and anti-rust" modular fencing (New Design Fence).&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the pilot project for the construction of New Design Fence in 3 km border length in Assam has been completed, another pilot project in 7.18 km border length in Punjab has been approved and work has been awarded.</p>

<p>It has been decided to deploy technological solutions in the form of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), in difficult terrain on Indo-Pakistan Border (IPB) and Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB).</p>

<p>The CIBMS involves integration of manpower, sensors, networks, intelligence and command and control solutions and includes inter alia Electro-Optic Sensors (high-resolution day and night cameras), Radars and other devices.</p>


The Centre on Wednesday informed Rajya Sabha that a pilot project has been approved to replace the existing old design or composite fencing with a new "anti-cut" and "anti-rust" modular fencing in 7.

The Centre on Wednesday informed Rajya Sabha that a pilot project has been approved to replace the existing old design or composite fencing with a new "anti-cut" and "anti-rust" modular fencing in 7.18 kilometres India-Pakistan border length in Amritsar. Replying to a question on "what measures government took for progress of pilot project for security of India-Pak border in Punjab" raised by opposition in the House, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Rajya Sabha, "A pilot project has been approved to replace the existing old design/composite fencing with a new "anti-cut" and "anti-rust" modular fencing in 7.18 km border length in Amritsar and work has recently been awarded. "Two Pilot projects have been taken up to replace the existing "old design/composite fencing" with a new "anti-cut and anti-rust" modular fencing (New Design Fence). While the pilot project for the construction of New Design Fence in 3 km border length in Assam has been completed, another pilot project in 7.18 km border length in Punjab has been approved and work has been awarded. It has been decided to deploy technological solutions in the form of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), in difficult terrain on Indo-Pakistan Border (IPB) and Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB). The CIBMS involves integration of manpower, sensors, networks, intelligence and command and control solutions and includes inter alia Electro-Optic Sensors (high-resolution day and night cameras), Radars and other devices.

Pilot project approved to replace existing border fencing in Amritsar: Centre in RS

Sikhs devotees in India's northern Amritsar city left on Thursday (June 27) on pilgrimage to Pakistan. The week-long programme marking the 180th anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, leader of the Sikh empire, begins in Lahore.

Indian Sikh devotees leave for Pakistan on pilgrimage

<p>Air India will begin services on Mumbai-Patna-Amritsar and Mumbai-Nairobi routes from September 27, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday.</p>

<p>The minister also said that the national carrier will launch its operation on Delhi-Chennai-Bali route from October 27.</p>

<p>"I am delighted to announce that on the occasion of World Tourism Day on 27th Sept 2019, Air India will begin a direct Mumbai-Nairobi flight (4 days a week) to improve air connectivity between India &amp; Kenya," he said in a tweet.</p>

<p>Last Friday, Puri had said that the national carrier will start Amritsar-Delhi-Toronto flight from September 27.</p>

<p>"To honour another long pending demand of devotees to provide air connectivity between Guru Nagri &amp; Sri Patna Sahib, I am delighted to announce the commencement of a daily Air India flight between Mumbai-Patna-Amritsar from 27th Sept 2019," he had tweeted.</p>

<p>Later in the day, the minister also tweeted, "Delighted to announce the commencement of a four days a week @airindiain flight to connect Delhi-Chennai-Bali from 27th October 2019. This flight will enhance connectivity &amp; push the flow of tourists &amp; travellers between India &amp; Bali."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delighted to announce the commencement of a four days a week <a href="https://twitter.com/airindiain?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@airindiain</a> flight to connect Delhi-Chennai-Bali from 27th October 2019. This flight will enhance connectivity &amp; push the flow of tourists &amp; travellers between India &amp; Bali. <a href="https://t.co/JJkJa5PuMz">pic.twitter.com/JJkJa5PuMz</a></p>
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) <a href="https://twitter.com/HardeepSPuri/status/1140632365204512768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Puri, who is currently a Rajya Sabha member, had fought the 2019 general elections from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, but lost to Congress' Gurjeet Singh Aujla.</p>


Air India will begin services on Mumbai-Patna-Amritsar and Mumbai-Nairobi routes from September 27, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday. The minister also said that the national carrier will launch its operation on Delhi-Chennai-Bali route from October 27.

Air India will begin services on Mumbai-Patna-Amritsar and Mumbai-Nairobi routes from September 27, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday. The minister also said that the national carrier will launch its operation on Delhi-Chennai-Bali route from October 27. "I am delighted to announce that on the occasion of World Tourism Day on 27th Sept 2019, Air India will begin a direct Mumbai-Nairobi flight (4 days a week) to improve air connectivity between India & Kenya," he said in a tweet. Last Friday, Puri had said that the national carrier will start Amritsar-Delhi-Toronto flight from September 27. "To honour another long pending demand of devotees to provide air connectivity between Guru Nagri & Sri Patna Sahib, I am delighted to announce the commencement of a daily Air India flight between Mumbai-Patna-Amritsar from 27th Sept 2019," he had tweeted. Later in the day, the minister also tweeted, "Delighted to announce the commencement of a four days a week @airindiain flight to connect Delhi-Chennai-Bali from 27th October 2019. This flight will enhance connectivity & push the flow of tourists & travellers between India & Bali." Delighted to announce the commencement of a four days a week @airindiain flight to connect Delhi-Chennai-Bali from 27th October 2019. This flight will enhance connectivity & push the flow of tourists & travellers between India & Bali. pic.twitter.com/JJkJa5PuMz — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) June 17, 2019 × Puri, who is currently a Rajya Sabha member, had fought the 2019 general elections from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, but lost to Congress' Gurjeet Singh Aujla.

Air India to start services on three routes: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

In Preet Nagar, an atmospheric enclave on the suburbs of Amritsar in Punjab, Meraj and Johan spend a weekend at what was once a creative commune where artists, musicians, and intellectuals co-habited. Meraj learns how to make pickle and pinnis while Johan learns how to fly a kite.

WION Traveller: S2, Episode 26- In Preet Nagar, an atmospheric enclave on the suburbs of Amritsar

Sikhs tie turbans over the heads of others during 'Turban Day' celebrations in Amritsar, India in an event organized by a local Sikh organization which aims to inspire pride and maintain the distinct identity of their culture throughout the world.

India: Sikhs celebrate Turban Day

Jallianwala Bagh centenary: Events that led to the darkest chapter of British colonial rule in India

It has been 100 years of Jallianwala massacre but UK still didn't apologized. UK PM Theresa May only showed regret on this huge massacre.

100 yrs of Jallianwala Massacre, only regret but no apology from UK

<p>A British minister said on Tuesday there was an "active debate" in government about apologising for the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians, as India prepared to mark the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-flags-financial-implications-of-jallianwala-bagh-apology-calls-it-work-in-progress-209137">100th anniversary of the atrocity</a>.</p>

<p>On April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters which remains an enduring scar of British colonial rule in India.</p>

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<p>Colonial-era records show about 400 people died in the northern city of Amritsar when soldiers opened fire on men, women and children in an enclosed area, but Indian figures put the toll at closer to 1,000.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former British prime minister David Cameron described it as "deeply shameful" during a visit in 2013 but stopped short of an apology.</p>

<p>In a debate on the subject in London on Tuesday, foreign&nbsp;office Minister Mark Field said the massacre was a "shameful episode in our history and one that we deeply regret to this day."</p>

<p>He said: "It would not be appropriate for me, in the context of this particular debate, to apologise today, but I have found many of the speeches very very compelling and I will take up with the foreign secretary and number 10 Downing Street a sense that we perhaps need to do a little more than the very deep regrets that I have set out today."</p>

<p>He said representatives from the British High Commission would visit the site to lay a wreath and that the government would also publicly acknowledge the centenary in Britain.</p>

<p>A ceremony was due to take place at the site of the massacre on Saturday.</p>

<p>Earlier Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP who organised the debate, also called for the British government to say sorry, "not just explaining away what happened, but apologising for our involvement and what was done in our name".<br />
&nbsp;</p>


A British minister said on Tuesday there was an "active debate" in government about apologising for the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians, as India prepared to mark the 100th anniversary of the atrocity.

A British minister said on Tuesday there was an "active debate" in government about apologising for the killing of hundreds of Indian civilians, as India prepared to mark the 100th anniversary of the atrocity. On April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters which remains an enduring scar of British colonial rule in India. Colonial-era records show about 400 people died in the northern city of Amritsar when soldiers opened fire on men, women and children in an enclosed area, but Indian figures put the toll at closer to 1,000. Former British prime minister David Cameron described it as "deeply shameful" during a visit in 2013 but stopped short of an apology. In a debate on the subject in London on Tuesday, foreign office Minister Mark Field said the massacre was a "shameful episode in our history and one that we deeply regret to this day." He said: "It would not be appropriate for me, in the context of this particular debate, to apologise today, but I have found many of the speeches very very compelling and I will take up with the foreign secretary and number 10 Downing Street a sense that we perhaps need to do a little more than the very deep regrets that I have set out today." He said representatives from the British High Commission would visit the site to lay a wreath and that the government would also publicly acknowledge the centenary in Britain. A ceremony was due to take place at the site of the massacre on Saturday. Earlier Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP who organised the debate, also called for the British government to say sorry, "not just explaining away what happened, but apologising for our involvement and what was done in our name".

Need to do little more than very 'deep regrets' on Jallianwala Bagh: British minister Mark Fields

<p>Many people in Amritsar city claimed to have heard "loud blasts" in the wee hours of Thursday after which social media was abuzz with speculations.</p>

<p>A few people took to social media to write about two very loud sounds, which some said sounded similar to bomb blasts.</p>

<p>However, police said "everything was okay" in the city and not to believe in "rumours" on social media.</p>

<p>Jagjit Singh Walia, ADCP Amritsar, told ANI, "I appeal to the people to not believe in rumours on social media. Everything is okay. As per our information, nothing has happened."</p>

<p>On Twitter, people claimed "heightened air activity" in the city. Soon the hashtag Amritsar surfaced with the conversation perking up about "sonic booms", "low flying jets" &nbsp;or just "loud sounds across the sky".</p>

<p>Most people reported loud sounds around 1 am on Friday.</p>

<p>ADCP Amritsar said it was merely a chatter on social media and added, "We will investigate the matter. If there is something, we will let you know." &nbsp;</p>

<p>Amritsar is situated near the border of India with Pakistan with the Wagah Border only 28 kilometres away from it.</p>

<p>Recently, tensions have been high between India and Pakistan ever since India undertook an anti-terror strike on a JeM terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot.</p>


Many people in Amritsar city claimed to have heard "loud blasts" in the wee hours of Thursday after which social media was abuzz with speculations. A few people took to social media to write about two very loud sounds, which some said sounded similar to bomb blasts.

Many people in Amritsar city claimed to have heard "loud blasts" in the wee hours of Thursday after which social media was abuzz with speculations. A few people took to social media to write about two very loud sounds, which some said sounded similar to bomb blasts. However, police said "everything was okay" in the city and not to believe in "rumours" on social media. Jagjit Singh Walia, ADCP Amritsar, told ANI, "I appeal to the people to not believe in rumours on social media. Everything is okay. As per our information, nothing has happened." On Twitter, people claimed "heightened air activity" in the city. Soon the hashtag Amritsar surfaced with the conversation perking up about "sonic booms", "low flying jets" or just "loud sounds across the sky". Most people reported loud sounds around 1 am on Friday. ADCP Amritsar said it was merely a chatter on social media and added, "We will investigate the matter. If there is something, we will let you know." Amritsar is situated near the border of India with Pakistan with the Wagah Border only 28 kilometres away from it. Recently, tensions have been high between India and Pakistan ever since India undertook an anti-terror strike on a JeM terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot.

Social media abuzz with 'loud blast'' sounds in Amritsar

<p>As many as 18 Khalistani terror modules were busted in Punjab and 95 people arrested in the last two years, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday.</p>

<p>Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said as per available information, the involvement of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) has come to the notice in a recent incident of a grenade attack on a religious congregation in Amritsar.</p>

<p>On November 18, three people were killed and over 20 injured when two motorcycle-borne men threw a grenade on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A total of 18 Khalistani terror modules have been neutralised in Punjab during the last two years, wherein a total of 95 accused persons have been arrested," he said replying to a written question.</p>

<p>The Punjab Police has arrested two persons involved in the grenade attack in Amritsar and has also identified three other persons, residing in other countries as accused, in respect to whom open dated warrants of arrest have been procured, the minister said.</p>

<p>The government had declared KLF as a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act last week.</p>


The government had declared Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) as a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act last week.

As many as 18 Khalistani terror modules were busted in Punjab and 95 people arrested in the last two years, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said as per available information, the involvement of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) has come to the notice in a recent incident of a grenade attack on a religious congregation in Amritsar. On November 18, three people were killed and over 20 injured when two motorcycle-borne men threw a grenade on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar. "A total of 18 Khalistani terror modules have been neutralised in Punjab during the last two years, wherein a total of 95 accused persons have been arrested," he said replying to a written question. The Punjab Police has arrested two persons involved in the grenade attack in Amritsar and has also identified three other persons, residing in other countries as accused, in respect to whom open dated warrants of arrest have been procured, the minister said. The government had declared KLF as a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act last week.

18 Khalistani terror modules busted in Punjab; 95 arrested in 2 years: Hansraj Ahir

<p>Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh suspected Sunday Pakistan's ISI-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri militants' role in the Amritsar terror attack that killed three persons and injured twenty others, and vowed that he would not let the "forces of terror" destroy the state's "hard-earned peace".</p>

<p>The possibility of involvement of ISI-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri terror groups could not be ruled out (in the Amritsar terror attack)," said Amarinder Singh in an official statement, adding the forensic teams have been rushed to the spot and "all angles were being investigated".</p>

<p>The chief minister said his government was on the top of things" and would "get to the bottom of the incident" soon and ensure that the culprits are nabbed and brought to book.</p>

<p>Nobody will be allowed to get away with trying to disturb the peace and harmony of the state, he said.</p>

<p>Three persons were killed and at least twenty others were injured when two motorcycle-borne miscreants hurled a grenade at a religious congregation of over 200 devotees inside a Nirankari Bhawan at Adliwal village near Amritsar's Rajasansi area Sunday, the police said earlier.</p>

<p>In his statement, the chief minister said the preliminary investigations have revealed that two men - one of them with a flowing beard and both with their faces covered - forced their entry into the hall, brandishing a pistol.</p>

<p>They detained the sewadar, lobbed the grenade into the prayer room and fled on a motorcycle on which they had come, he added.</p>

<p>A small crater was formed by the impact of the explosion and was being examined by the forensic team, Amarinder Singh said, adding that the safety valve of the grenade too has been found and was being examined.</p>

<p>Soon after the attack, the chief minister reviewed the law and order situation in the state and asked the state home secretary, Punjab police chief and director generals, law &amp; order and intelligence, to rush to Rajasansi in Amritsar to supervise the ongoing probe into the grenade attack, an official spokesman said here.</p>

<p>Forensic teams too have been rushed to the spot and all angles were being investigated, said the chief minister.</p>

<p>Strongly condemning the grenade attack after reviewing law and order in the state, Amarinder Singh vowed that he will not let the "forces of terror" destroy the hard-earned peace in the state.</p>

<p>While making an appeal to the people "not to panic and remain calm," the chief minister tweeted, "We will not let the forces of terror destroy our hard-earned peace."</p>

<p>"I appeal to the people of Punjab to maintain peace in the wake of Amritsar bomb blast. I urge them not to panic and remain calm," he added.</p>

<p>Amarinder Singh's tweet followed soon after Punjab police chief Suresh Arora told PTI that the incident "appears to have a terror angle... we will take it as a terrorist act."</p>

<p>In his statement, the chief minister added that police teams have been rushed to raid suspected hideouts of the assailants and multiple teams are investigating various angles to crack the case.</p>

<p>The chief minister also directed police to immediately beef up the security at all sensitive places, including all Nirankari Bhawan, in the wake of the grenade attack - the first such indiscriminate act against innocent people in recent past.</p>

<p>Punjab had been severely hit by pro-Khalistan militancy in the 1980s and early 1990s, but it faced few terror attacks in recent years, barring the one in Pathankot over two years back.</p>

<p>Though the state had been hit by a series of targeted attacks since 2015/2016, this was the first attempt, in a long time, aimed at disturbing the peace in the state through indiscriminate killings, said the chief minister.</p>

<p>This strengthened the belief that Pakistan was continuing with its nefarious activities to disturb peace in the state, he added.</p>

<p>Amarinder Singh said 15 terror modules were busted in the past 18 months, with indications of Kashmiri terror links too in some instances as evidenced in the arrest of Kashmiri students from Jalandhar and in a case of grenade blast at Maqsudan police station.</p>

<p>Punjab DGP Arora had earlier told PTI the grenade attack on the religious congregation on outskirts of Amritsar city appeared to be a terrorist act.</p>

<p>It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle because it is against a group (of people) and not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it like that, he had said.</p>

<p>Punjab had has been on alert following an input saying that a group of six to seven JeM terrorists were in the state, possibly in Ferozepur area.</p>

<p>The state had been put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.&nbsp;</p>


Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh suspected Sunday Pakistan's ISI-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri militants' role in the Amritsar terror attack that killed three persons and injured twenty others, and vowed that he would not let the "forces of terror" destroy the state's "hard-earned peace".

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh suspected Sunday Pakistan's ISI-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri militants' role in the Amritsar terror attack that killed three persons and injured twenty others, and vowed that he would not let the "forces of terror" destroy the state's "hard-earned peace". The possibility of involvement of ISI-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri terror groups could not be ruled out (in the Amritsar terror attack)," said Amarinder Singh in an official statement, adding the forensic teams have been rushed to the spot and "all angles were being investigated". The chief minister said his government was on the top of things" and would "get to the bottom of the incident" soon and ensure that the culprits are nabbed and brought to book. Nobody will be allowed to get away with trying to disturb the peace and harmony of the state, he said. Three persons were killed and at least twenty others were injured when two motorcycle-borne miscreants hurled a grenade at a religious congregation of over 200 devotees inside a Nirankari Bhawan at Adliwal village near Amritsar's Rajasansi area Sunday, the police said earlier. In his statement, the chief minister said the preliminary investigations have revealed that two men - one of them with a flowing beard and both with their faces covered - forced their entry into the hall, brandishing a pistol. They detained the sewadar, lobbed the grenade into the prayer room and fled on a motorcycle on which they had come, he added. A small crater was formed by the impact of the explosion and was being examined by the forensic team, Amarinder Singh said, adding that the safety valve of the grenade too has been found and was being examined. Soon after the attack, the chief minister reviewed the law and order situation in the state and asked the state home secretary, Punjab police chief and director generals, law & order and intelligence, to rush to Rajasansi in Amritsar to supervise the ongoing probe into the grenade attack, an official spokesman said here. Forensic teams too have been rushed to the spot and all angles were being investigated, said the chief minister. Strongly condemning the grenade attack after reviewing law and order in the state, Amarinder Singh vowed that he will not let the "forces of terror" destroy the hard-earned peace in the state. While making an appeal to the people "not to panic and remain calm," the chief minister tweeted, "We will not let the forces of terror destroy our hard-earned peace." "I appeal to the people of Punjab to maintain peace in the wake of Amritsar bomb blast. I urge them not to panic and remain calm," he added. Amarinder Singh's tweet followed soon after Punjab police chief Suresh Arora told PTI that the incident "appears to have a terror angle... we will take it as a terrorist act." In his statement, the chief minister added that police teams have been rushed to raid suspected hideouts of the assailants and multiple teams are investigating various angles to crack the case. The chief minister also directed police to immediately beef up the security at all sensitive places, including all Nirankari Bhawan, in the wake of the grenade attack - the first such indiscriminate act against innocent people in recent past. Punjab had been severely hit by pro-Khalistan militancy in the 1980s and early 1990s, but it faced few terror attacks in recent years, barring the one in Pathankot over two years back. Though the state had been hit by a series of targeted attacks since 2015/2016, this was the first attempt, in a long time, aimed at disturbing the peace in the state through indiscriminate killings, said the chief minister. This strengthened the belief that Pakistan was continuing with its nefarious activities to disturb peace in the state, he added. Amarinder Singh said 15 terror modules were busted in the past 18 months, with indications of Kashmiri terror links too in some instances as evidenced in the arrest of Kashmiri students from Jalandhar and in a case of grenade blast at Maqsudan police station. Punjab DGP Arora had earlier told PTI the grenade attack on the religious congregation on outskirts of Amritsar city appeared to be a terrorist act. It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle because it is against a group (of people) and not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it like that, he had said. Punjab had has been on alert following an input saying that a group of six to seven JeM terrorists were in the state, possibly in Ferozepur area. The state had been put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.

Amarinder Singh suspects ISI hand in Amritsar 'terror' attack

<p>Amritsar local youth&nbsp;hand is suspected in the terror attack that killed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/3-dead-10-injured-in-grenade-attack-at-amritsars-rajasansi-village-178012">three persons and left more than 20 people</a> injured on Sunday. The police are investigating the incident as a "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amritsar-grenade-attack-appears-to-be-terrorist-act-punjab-police-178037">terrorist act</a>".</p>

<p>According to reports the attackers did a little recce of the ashram premises twice and knew that religious assemblage occurred on Sundays.</p>

<p>Further, Khalisthan-upheld outfits provided the arms and ammunition, used in the assault, to the attackers.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh for anybody providing information on those involved in the Amritsar grenade blast that left three persons dead, officials said.</p>

<p>On Sunday, Three people and over 20 injured when two motorcycle-borne men threw the grenade on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar.</p>

<p>The incident took place inside the Nirankari Bhavan's prayer hall at Adliwal village near Amritsar's Rajasansi, police said. A congregation of the Nirankari followers was being held inside at the time.</p>

<p>The Sant Nirankari Mission is a spiritual organisation and the Bhavan here is located close to the international airport and Indo-Pak border.</p>


Amritsar local youth hand is suspected in the terror attack that killed three persons and left more than 20 people injured on Sunday. The police are investigating the incident as a "terrorist act".

Amritsar local youth hand is suspected in the terror attack that killed three persons and left more than 20 people injured on Sunday. The police are investigating the incident as a "terrorist act". According to reports the attackers did a little recce of the ashram premises twice and knew that religious assemblage occurred on Sundays. Further, Khalisthan-upheld outfits provided the arms and ammunition, used in the assault, to the attackers. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh for anybody providing information on those involved in the Amritsar grenade blast that left three persons dead, officials said. On Sunday, Three people and over 20 injured when two motorcycle-borne men threw the grenade on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar. The incident took place inside the Nirankari Bhavan's prayer hall at Adliwal village near Amritsar's Rajasansi, police said. A congregation of the Nirankari followers was being held inside at the time. The Sant Nirankari Mission is a spiritual organisation and the Bhavan here is located close to the international airport and Indo-Pak border.

Local youth's hand suspected in Amritsar grenade attack

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<p>British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday toppling her would risk delaying Brexit and she would not let talk of a leadership challenge distract her from a critical week of negotiations.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-all-party-meet-underway-to-resolve-political-crisis-178043">Sri Lanka: All-party meet underway to resolve </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-all-party-meet-underway-to-resolve-political-crisis-178043">political</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-all-party-meet-underway-to-resolve-political-crisis-178043"> crisis</a></p>

<p>An all-party meet called by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is underway at the Capital in a bid to end the political turmoil after Sirisena ousted Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amritsar-grenade-attack-appears-to-be-terrorist-act-punjab-police-178037">Amritsar grenade attack appears to be 'terrorist act': Punjab police</a></p>

<p>Punjab police said Sunday the&nbsp;grenade attack&nbsp;on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar city appears to be a "terrorist act".</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/macrons-popularity-dips-as-french-fuel-tax-revolt-simmers-178047">Macron's popularity dips as French fuel tax revolt simmers</a></p>

<p>Emmanuel Macron’s popularity took a further hit in recent weeks, according to a poll on Sunday, as fuel tax protests rumbled on across France in the latest sign of discontent with the president’s economic reforms.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-in-crucial-talks-as-he-resists-snap-polls-178042">Israel PM Netanyahu in crucial talks as he resists snap polls</a></p>

<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resisted calls for snap polls Sunday, saying elections now would be "unnecessary and wrong", ahead of what he called last-ditch talks to hold his embattled coalition together.</p>


Getting rid of me risks delaying Brexit: UK PM Theresa May British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday toppling her would risk delaying Brexit and she would not let talk of a leadership challenge distract her from a critical week of negotiations.

Getting rid of me risks delaying Brexit: UK PM Theresa May British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday toppling her would risk delaying Brexit and she would not let talk of a leadership challenge distract her from a critical week of negotiations. Sri Lanka: All-party meet underway to resolve political crisis An all-party meet called by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is underway at the Capital in a bid to end the political turmoil after Sirisena ousted Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister. Amritsar grenade attack appears to be 'terrorist act': Punjab police Punjab police said Sunday the grenade attack on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar city appears to be a "terrorist act". Macron's popularity dips as French fuel tax revolt simmers Emmanuel Macron’s popularity took a further hit in recent weeks, according to a poll on Sunday, as fuel tax protests rumbled on across France in the latest sign of discontent with the president’s economic reforms. Israel PM Netanyahu in crucial talks as he resists snap polls Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resisted calls for snap polls Sunday, saying elections now would be "unnecessary and wrong", ahead of what he called last-ditch talks to hold his embattled coalition together.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Punjab police said Sunday the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/3-dead-10-injured-in-grenade-attack-at-amritsars-rajasansi-village-178012">grenade attack</a> on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar city appears to be a "terrorist act".</p>

<p>"It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle. Because it is against a group (of people) and it is not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it as that," Punjab Director General of Police Suresh Arora told PTI.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Three dead &amp; twenty injured in the blast. We are counting it as a terror act. We will find out other details in the further investigation: Punjab DGP Suresh Arora on the blast in Amritsar district. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Punjab?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Punjab</a> <a href="https://t.co/ItYksYFibE">pic.twitter.com/ItYksYFibE</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1064129100971954177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>To a question, the DGP said there was no specific input about any possible attack on Nirankari Bhavan.</p>

<p>"There was no issue with this group as such? There was no specific input on (Nirankari Bhavan)," he said.</p>

<p>Three persons were killed and at least 10 injured in a grenade attack on a religious congregation on the city outskirts on Sunday, police said.</p>

<p>The attack took place inside the Nirankari Bhavan at Adliwal village near Amritsar's Rajasansi, close to the international airport, police said.</p>

<p>A religious congregation of the Nirankari sect was being conducted inside the Bhavan at the time of the incident.</p>

<p>"A grenade was lobbed and three people have died in the incident while 10 have been injured in the incident, two of them critically," Inspector General of Police S S Parmar, who visited the incident spot, told reporters.</p>

<p>He said about 200 devotees were inside at the time of the attack. No CCTV camera was installed at the premises, preliminary investigations found, he said.</p>

<p>"We have launched relief and rescue operations," he said.</p>

<p>After the attack, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reviewed the law and order situation and directed the Home Secretary, DGP (Law and Order) and DG Intelligence to rush to Rajasansi to supervise investigations.&nbsp;</p>


Punjab police said Sunday the grenade attack on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar city appears to be a "terrorist act". "It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle.

Punjab police said Sunday the grenade attack on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar city appears to be a "terrorist act". "It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle. Because it is against a group (of people) and it is not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it as that," Punjab Director General of Police Suresh Arora told PTI. Three dead & twenty injured in the blast. We are counting it as a terror act. We will find out other details in the further investigation: Punjab DGP Suresh Arora on the blast in Amritsar district. #Punjab pic.twitter.com/ItYksYFibE — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2018 × To a question, the DGP said there was no specific input about any possible attack on Nirankari Bhavan. "There was no issue with this group as such? There was no specific input on (Nirankari Bhavan)," he said. Three persons were killed and at least 10 injured in a grenade attack on a religious congregation on the city outskirts on Sunday, police said. The attack took place inside the Nirankari Bhavan at Adliwal village near Amritsar's Rajasansi, close to the international airport, police said. A religious congregation of the Nirankari sect was being conducted inside the Bhavan at the time of the incident. "A grenade was lobbed and three people have died in the incident while 10 have been injured in the incident, two of them critically," Inspector General of Police S S Parmar, who visited the incident spot, told reporters. He said about 200 devotees were inside at the time of the attack. No CCTV camera was installed at the premises, preliminary investigations found, he said. "We have launched relief and rescue operations," he said. After the attack, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reviewed the law and order situation and directed the Home Secretary, DGP (Law and Order) and DG Intelligence to rush to Rajasansi to supervise investigations.

Amritsar grenade attack appears to be 'terrorist act': Punjab police

Breaking: 3 Dead, 10 Injured In Grenade Attack At Prayer Hall In Amritsar

<p>Three people were killed and several injured in the attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village on Sunday,&nbsp;IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a> 3 dead &amp; 10 injured in the blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village: IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar <a href="https://t.co/O99yKBjQFu">https://t.co/O99yKBjQFu</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1064057526260563969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Reports said the attack occurred during a religious ceremony being held at Nirankari Bhawan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Eyewitnesses said two bike-borne masked men came to the Nirankari Dera and threw a grenade at the congregation.</p>

<p>The victims were rushed to the nearest hospital, and police have begun an investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attack comes against the backdrop of multiple alerts issued by the intelligence agencies warning of the presence of Kashmiri terrorists in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state was put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Posters were also put up in the Amritsar region asking locals to provide information on al-Qaeda operative Zakir Musa, who was suspected to have entered the state.&nbsp;</p>


Three people were killed and several injured in the attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village on Sunday, IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar said.

Three people were killed and several injured in the attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village on Sunday, IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar said. #UPDATE 3 dead & 10 injured in the blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village: IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar https://t.co/O99yKBjQFu — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2018 × Reports said the attack occurred during a religious ceremony being held at Nirankari Bhawan. Eyewitnesses said two bike-borne masked men came to the Nirankari Dera and threw a grenade at the congregation. The victims were rushed to the nearest hospital, and police have begun an investigation. The attack comes against the backdrop of multiple alerts issued by the intelligence agencies warning of the presence of Kashmiri terrorists in the state. The state was put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week. Posters were also put up in the Amritsar region asking locals to provide information on al-Qaeda operative Zakir Musa, who was suspected to have entered the state.

3 dead, 10 injured in blast at Amritsar's Rajasansi village

<p>The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) will conduct an inquiry into the Amritsar train tragedy in which at least 60 people were killed earlier this month.</p>

<p>The matter has become a matter of great public discourse, especially raising concerns regarding the safety of people trespassing on railway tracks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla held a meeting with Union Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal and handed over a letter, requesting an inquiry by the CRS in the incident.</p>

<p>The Ministry of Railways has considered the request and other facts, circumstances and legal provisions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the law, it is not mandatory, in such cases, for an inquiry to be conducted by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS), but it is not impermissible either.</p>

<p>In the past, CRS inquiries have been conducted in incidents where people have been run over by trains on railway tracks.</p>

<p>Although the Railways does not appear to be responsible in this incident, the issue of inquiry conducted by an independent and technically competent authority, not reporting to Ministry of Railways, was considered and a request was made to the CCRS to conduct an inquiry in this matter.</p>

<p>Considering this, the CCRS has ordered a statutory inquiry into the incident.</p>

<p>On October 20, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had ordered a magisterial inquiry under the Divisional Commissioner of Jalandhar to ascertain the cause of the accident.</p>

<p>The accident took place at the Dhobi Ghat ground in Choura Bazar near Jhoda Phatak area in Amritsar on October 19 after a speeding train ran over a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilt onto the railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy.</p>


The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) will conduct an inquiry into the Amritsar train tragedy in which at least 60 people were killed earlier this month. The matter has become a matter of great public discourse, especially raising concerns regarding the safety of people trespassing on railway tracks.

The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) will conduct an inquiry into the Amritsar train tragedy in which at least 60 people were killed earlier this month. The matter has become a matter of great public discourse, especially raising concerns regarding the safety of people trespassing on railway tracks. Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla held a meeting with Union Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal and handed over a letter, requesting an inquiry by the CRS in the incident. The Ministry of Railways has considered the request and other facts, circumstances and legal provisions. As per the law, it is not mandatory, in such cases, for an inquiry to be conducted by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS), but it is not impermissible either. In the past, CRS inquiries have been conducted in incidents where people have been run over by trains on railway tracks. Although the Railways does not appear to be responsible in this incident, the issue of inquiry conducted by an independent and technically competent authority, not reporting to Ministry of Railways, was considered and a request was made to the CCRS to conduct an inquiry in this matter. Considering this, the CCRS has ordered a statutory inquiry into the incident. On October 20, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had ordered a magisterial inquiry under the Divisional Commissioner of Jalandhar to ascertain the cause of the accident. The accident took place at the Dhobi Ghat ground in Choura Bazar near Jhoda Phatak area in Amritsar on October 19 after a speeding train ran over a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilt onto the railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy.

Amritsar train accident: Commission of Railway Safety to conduct inquiry

<p>The situation remained tense Sunday as locals continued with their sit-in at Joda Patak where 59 Dussehra revellers were mowed down by a train. The locals had started protesting Saturday, raising slogans against the state government and demanding action against the train’s driver, a day after the accident here.</p>

<p>Police said locals are sitting on railway tracks and do not want to leave. “We hope that the normalcy will be restored in the area by Sunday evening as the number of protestors have come down since Saturday,” a senior police officer said. The Punjab Police has deployed its personnel, including commandoes, to manage the crowd. The Rapid Action Force is also present in the Joda Patak area.</p>

<p>The district administration has said out of 59 people who were mowed down by the speeding Jalandhar-Amritsar train Friday, 40 have been identified. The process of identifying the other persons is underway, it said. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who visited the accident site Saturday, has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.</p>


The situation remained tense Sunday as locals continued with their sit-in at Joda Patak where 59 Dussehra revellers were mowed down by a train. The locals had started protesting Saturday, raising slogans against the state government and demanding action against the train’s driver, a day after the accident here.

The situation remained tense Sunday as locals continued with their sit-in at Joda Patak where 59 Dussehra revellers were mowed down by a train. The locals had started protesting Saturday, raising slogans against the state government and demanding action against the train’s driver, a day after the accident here. Police said locals are sitting on railway tracks and do not want to leave. “We hope that the normalcy will be restored in the area by Sunday evening as the number of protestors have come down since Saturday,” a senior police officer said. The Punjab Police has deployed its personnel, including commandoes, to manage the crowd. The Rapid Action Force is also present in the Joda Patak area. The district administration has said out of 59 people who were mowed down by the speeding Jalandhar-Amritsar train Friday, 40 have been identified. The process of identifying the other persons is underway, it said. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who visited the accident site Saturday, has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

Amritsar train tragedy: Angry locals continue to protest at train accident site

Who is to blame for Dussehra Tragedy in Amritsar ?

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