Pakisani balloon lands in border village

Abohar
A balloon reportedly released ahead of the Independence Day of Pakistan landed at Raghunathpura village near Sriganganagar on Thursday. The balloon carried a picture of Muhammad Ali Jinnah with 'Dil dil Pakistan', title of a popular song in the country, written over it. Intelligence agencies inspected the balloon but nothing suspicious was found in it after which the police took its custody. Such balloons had landed in border villages in the past also, officials said.

Ludhiana
I-T case against CM, son adjourned till August 13

The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Prabhjot Singh Kaleka has adjourned the alleged income tax evasion cases against Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh till August 13. The court may hear arguments of the I-T department on the point of summoning on the next hearing. On the last hearing, the I-T department had concluded the evidence of its officers namely Amit Dua and Amanpreet Kaur. It also produced certain documents as additional evidence. OC

Chandigarh 
Minister Randhawa reviews security in jails

Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Thursday emphasised the need to adopt new techniques aimed at upgrading sensors and CCTV cameras inside jails. After a meeting with ADGP Kuldeep Singh and IG, Prisons, RK Arora, Randhawa said modern technology was the need of the hour to ensure internal as well as external security of jails to avoid any untoward incident. The meeting saw a presentation by the Jails Department in which a private firm's strategy adopted for the security of 70 jails in Uttar Pradesh was showcased. The entire system was based on interference pattern of infrared radiations that could track physical movements of inmates which in turn would come in handy to ascertain if they were planning any violent activity. TNS

Muktsar
Youth commits suicide

A youth of Kotli road here on Wednesday night allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison. Deceased Vishal Kumar was earlier working in a private company as a delivery boy, but from the past few days he was jobless, said sources. His father Tara Chand had asked him to learn tailoring, but the duo had some verbal duel and thereafter Vishal allegedly took this extreme step, they said. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The police have started investigation under Section 174 of CrPC. TNS

Sangrur 
Four held with stolen cash

The Government Railway Police (GRP) have arrested four persons and seized 4.500 kg silver and Rs 2.28 lakh cash from their possession and started further investigations. Kamlesh Kumar, SHO, GRP, Sangrur, said on July 12, a few persons had snatched a bag containing Rs 4.28 lakh and 4.500 kg silver from Sagar at Sangrur railway station. "On Wednesday we arrested Sher Singh, Sunny, Gagandeep Singh and Ajay kumar from near the ROB on the Dhuri road and seized 4.500 kg silver and Rs 2.28 lakh cash. We are conducting further investigations," the SHO said. TNS

Patiala
Power bills schedule

The PSPCL has announced that 102 electricity bill payment machines in 47 SAPs (systems, applications and products in data processing) and cash counters in 47 SAP area towns, including Patiala, Gurdaspur, Mohali, Gidderbaha, Jaito, Nangal, Patti, Nakodar, Sirhind, Nawanshahr, Ropar, Rajpura, Pathankot, Bathinda, Jalandhar Cantt, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Moga and Ludhiana will remain unavailable from August 9 to 12. The e-payment-related services for paying and viewing electricity bills shall remain available during the period. TNS

3,720 liquor bottles seized

Abohar: The police on Wednesday claimed to have seized 3,720 bottles of liquor by searching a truck here, but none could be nabbed. A case was registered against unidentified persons under the Excise Act. OC