Brief: Car, bike gutted at Phagwara

Phagwara: A major fire was reported at the residence of Rachna in Vishwakarma Colony, Pallahi Road, Phagwara, late last night following a suspected short-circuit. The fire quickly spread, completely gutting a car and a motorcycle parked inside the premises. No loss of human life was reported, though household materials also sustained damage. The authorities have initiated an assessment of the losses caused by the blaze. oc

Lightning strikes kiln

Phagwara: A high-velocity lightning struck the chimney of a brick kiln owned by Ravikant Agarwal, leaving it badly damaged in village Bundala near Phagwara.The strike caused a 10 to 12-foot-long crack in the chimney. Additionally, several sheds at the kiln collapsed and electronic equipment was burnt. Ravikant said he was present on-site on the night of the strike when he suddenly heard a loud blast. On rushing outside, he discovered the extensive damage caused by the lightning strike. oc

Bid to break open gate

Phagwara: Panic gripped the Model Town locality here after midnight when three masked youths, armed with sharp-edged weapons, attempted to break open the main gate of a house in the colony. The suspects created chaos outside the residence, attacking the gate with weapons before fleeing the scene in a dramatic, film-style escape. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed outside the house and has since gone viral on social media.It has shocked residents as Model Town is considered one of the most secured and posh areas of the city. oc

Youth Cong burns PM effigy

Jalandhar: Punjab Youth Congress burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here to protest against the betrayal of Punjab by the Centre in this time of crisis. Addressing a gathering, Angad Dutta, secretary, Punjab Youth Congress, said, "Modi government has insulted Punjab by announcing only Rs 1,600 crore as interim relief." oc

Man found dead on roadside

Phagwara: A 30-year-old man was found dead on a roadside in Kapurthala on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Imam Hussain, a resident of Chitti village in Jalandhar. The body was first spotted by a passerby near Aujla Jogi village on the road leading to Dhariwal Dona. The police reached the spot and shifted the body to the Civil Hospital mortuary. DSP Deepkaran Singh said investigation points towards an old enmity as the motive behind the killing. oc