India retaliates: BSF suspends access to retreat ceremony

Amritsar: The retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar has been closed to spectators until further orders, a Border Security Force (BSF) official said.“Parade is closed” notice in English and Hindi languages has been pasted on boards along the passage leading to the spectators’ gallery. “The step has been taken keeping in view the security of the guests. The customary flag-lowering ritual will be performed by the BSF, but visitors will not be allowed there,” he said.

Attack on Poonch gurdwara condemned

Amritsar: The Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have condemned Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling in Poonch, where civilians, including Sikhs, were killed and the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha was hit. Amrik Singh (raagi), Amarjeet Singh (retired soldier) and Ranjit Singh (shopkeeper) were among those killed. There were also reports that Sikh woman Ruby Kaur was killed in the Mankote area. Many other civilian casualties have also come to light in Poonch. Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj offered prayers for the departed souls.

PTU postpones exams till May 10

Jalandhar: Following a decision by Guru Nanak Dev University on Wednesday evening, IK Gujral Punjab Technical University has also announced to postpone the ongoing exams. A notice by the Controller of Examination of the university said: “With the approval of the competent authority, it is hereby notified that the ongoing semester examinations are postponed from May 8 to 10 due to unforeseen circumstances. From May 12 onwards, the exams will be conducted as per the notified date sheet. The dates for the postponed exams will be notified shortly.”