PunjabENews

Category: Crime

  • At least 20 US fast-food outlets attacked in Pakistan during anti-Israel protests; KFC employee killed

    At least 20 US fast-food outlets attacked in Pakistan during anti-Israel protests; KFC employee killed

    Karachi: The Pakistan government said on Saturday that at least 20 US fast-food outlets, including KFC, were attacked across the country during anti-Israel protests this month. One KFC employee was killed and around 160 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incidents.

    Most of the attacks were reportedly carried out by activists of the radical Islamist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). However, during a press conference, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry appeared to absolve TLP of direct involvement, claiming that all political and religio-political parties had distanced themselves from the violence.

    “Some party workers may have been involved in their personal capacity, but no political party is linked to these crimes,” Chaudhry said, adding, “Whoever attacks such outlets will be dealt with sternly.”

    Wazir, another official, confirmed that around 20 attacks had taken place targeting KFC locations and that the arrested suspects had confessed to the crimes and expressed regret in video statements.

    Highlighting the economic impact, the minister said the owner of KFC in Pakistan is a Muslim Pakistani and that the company’s operations—including purchasing and profits—are rooted within the country. He said that KFC has invested over USD 100 million in Pakistan and pays full taxes, urging people not to target such businesses.

    “The government will protect the life and property of all investors—Pakistani or foreign,” Chaudhry said.

  • Six Punjab Police officers to undergo polygraph test in Lawrence Bishnoi interview case

    Six Punjab Police officers to undergo polygraph test in Lawrence Bishnoi interview case

    Chandigarh: A Mohali court has permitted the polygraph testing of six Punjab Police officers in connection with the controversial interview of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The officers, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and five constables, were posted at the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) in Mohali when the interview was conducted.

    The polygraph tests were sought by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Punjab Police, which is probing the case. The court granted approval after all six officers provided written consent, as required under Supreme Court guidelines.

    The controversy dates back to September 2022, when Bishnoi gave two video interviews—one reportedly recorded at the CIA office in Kharar, Mohali, and the other in Rajasthan. The interviews, which were aired by a television channel in March 2023, triggered widespread criticism and raised concerns over internal security lapses within the police force.

    The polygraph tests are intended to determine how a journalist, a camera, and interview questions were able to reach Bishnoi while he was in custody. Investigators are focusing on whether there was collusion within the police department. The findings are expected to be key in steering the investigation forward and addressing concerns about the credibility of the Punjab Police.

    Earlier this year, on January 2, the Punjab government dismissed Deputy Superintendent of Police Gursher Singh Sandhu for his role in facilitating the interview. Sandhu, who had been under suspension since October 25, 2024, was sacked under Article 311 of the Constitution. The dismissal order was issued by Gurkirat Karpal Singh, Secretary of the Home Department, Government of Punjab.

  • Hawala racket linked to drugs busted, five held including Punjab police constable

    Hawala racket linked to drugs busted, five held including Punjab police constable

    Chandigarh: Police have arrested five individuals, including a serving constable, and recovered Rs 46.91 lakh in cash in connection with a hawala racket allegedly linked to drug trafficking. Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar shared the details during a press conference.

    Bhullar said the racket came to light during the interrogation of a person previously arrested in a related case. Subsequent investigation revealed that the hawala network was being operated in a highly organised manner.

    “More vigilance was exercised during the transactions. Both the sender and the receiver matched the serial numbers of the currency notes before completing the exchange,” he said.

    The Commissioner added that the hawala transfers were routed through Dubai and the United States. He further said that the case is being taken up with relevant international agencies for further action abroad.

  • SGPC chief Dhami strongly condemns sacrilege in Noorpur Jattan village

    SGPC chief Dhami strongly condemns sacrilege in Noorpur Jattan village

    Amritsar: SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly condemned the incident of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Village Noorpur Jattan near Garhshankar, blaming the Punjab government for failing to control anti-social elements.

    He said the repeated occurrences of such incidents are a result of the government’s inaction, which has emboldened those who seek to disrupt communal harmony.

    “Sri Guru Granth Sahib shows us the path of life. It is the duty of the organisers and the sangat to uphold the respect and dignity of the Guru Ghars and serve them with awareness,” Dhami said.

    He criticised the negligence of some Gurdwara Committees, saying such lapses lead to deeply painful incidents for the Sikh community. Pointing to the rise of gurdwaras in every locality without adequate maintenance, Dhami stressed that there should be only one Gurdwara Sahib in each village to ensure better management through collective effort.

    “If there is only one Gurdwara Sahib, the entire village can join hands to make the system stronger and more secure. A joint approach is essential,” he said.

    Urging the government to abandon its “dang tapao” (cover-up) policy, Dhami demanded strict punishment for those responsible for hurting religious sentiments.

  • Two policemen injured in mob attack during anti-drug operation in Gidderbaha

    Two policemen injured in mob attack during anti-drug operation in Gidderbaha

    Chandigarh: Two policemen, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), were injured on Friday after being allegedly attacked by residents of a slum on Bharu Road in Gidderbaha town during an anti-drug operation, police said.

    The injured personnel—ASI Raj Bahadur and constable Jaspreet—are currently admitted to Gidderbaha Civil Hospital. They had gone to the area based on a tip-off to investigate drug-related activity as part of the ongoing ‘Yudh Nasha Virodhi’ (war on drugs) campaign.

    “We were checking the area when the situation suddenly turned violent. Some residents, including men and women, attacked us,” said ASI Raj Bahadur. He added that senior officials were informed shortly after the incident.

    Gidderbaha DSP Avtar Singh said the attackers allegedly used sticks, stones, and bricks to assault the policemen. A case has been registered under relevant sections at Gidderbaha police station. Four individuals, including two women, have been booked, and efforts are underway to arrest them, he added.

  • Gangster Happy Pasia, wanted in 14 terror attacks in Punjab, arrested in US

    Gangster Happy Pasia, wanted in 14 terror attacks in Punjab, arrested in US

    Washington: Gangster Happy Passia, who allegedly plotted 14 terrorist attacks in Punjab, has been arrested in the United States. He has been detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Indian security agencies confirmed.

    Passia is accused of executing multiple grenade attacks in Punjab in recent months. Officials said he operated in coordination with Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and terror outfits including Babbar Khalsa International and the network led by terrorist Rinda.

    Indian agencies believe Passia was involved in recent attacks targeting police establishments and other high-security zones in Punjab. In several cases, he reportedly claimed responsibility through social media.

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had declared a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to his capture. Security officials said that Passia, along with his associate Jeevan Fauji, had become a major threat to law and order in the region.

  • Himachal chief secretary’s office receives threat emails; offices put on alert

    Himachal chief secretary’s office receives threat emails; offices put on alert

    Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena on Thursday said that his office in Shimla received a threat email a day after a similar message warned of a bomb planted at the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office in Mandi. Following the alerts, security measures have been heightened at the respective offices.

    According to sources, the email referencing the chief secretary’s office, located in the state secretariat complex in Shimla, mentioned that “something was going to happen in Tamil Nadu” and that the timing of the threat’s execution in Himachal Pradesh would be adjusted accordingly.

    Speaking to a news agency, Saxena confirmed that both threatening emails were received on Wednesday — one at his Shimla office and the other at the DC office in Mandi.

    “It is being ascertained from where the two emails were sent, and if required, the help of central agencies will be sought to arrest the culprits,” he said.

  • Youth’s private part attacked with blades by girlfriend’s family, critical

    Youth’s private part attacked with blades by girlfriend’s family, critical

    New Delhi: A teenage boy in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur district was brutally assaulted by his girlfriend’s family after he went to meet her late at night. The incident took place on Tuesday in Saraiya village under the Guleria police station limits.

    According to police, the boy had gone to the girl’s house after speaking with her on the phone. Upon reaching her room, he was allegedly caught in an objectionable position with the girl, triggering the family’s outrage. They reportedly thrashed him and assaulted him with blades, inflicting serious injuries to his private parts.

    The boy, who managed to escape and return home, collapsed unconscious near his doorstep. He was immediately taken to BRD Medical College and is currently undergoing treatment in critical condition.

    The victim’s father claimed that his son was lured into a trap and then attacked in a planned manner. He alleged that the boy was locked in the house and then brutally assaulted. The girl’s house is barely 100 metres from their residence, he added.

    Locals said the boy and girl had been in a relationship for the past five to six years, despite repeated warnings from both families.

    Guleria police station in-charge, Jatinder Kumar Singh, said that a case has been registered based on the family’s complaint. “The matter is being investigated, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” he said.

  • SC pulls up Allahabad High Court over controversial remarks in rape cases

    SC pulls up Allahabad High Court over controversial remarks in rape cases

    New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken strong exception to the Allahabad High Court’s remarks in a recent rape case, cautioning the court against making controversial statements in judicial orders. This is the second time in 20 days that the apex court has issued such a directive to the high court.

    The latest development came after the Allahabad High Court, while granting bail to an accused in a rape case, observed that the victim “herself suffered trouble for which she herself was responsible.” The Supreme Court, which is hearing the matter suo motu, expressed concern over such language being used in sensitive cases.

    The top court is also hearing another case involving a March 19 order by the same high court, where it controversially stated that “pulling the breaking pajamas string cannot be considered as an attempt to rape.”

    A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih remarked, “If someone wants to grant bail, it is fine, but why make such a comment which says that the victim herself invited trouble? This side (bench) should also be very careful.”

    The apex court’s observations underscore the importance of judicial sensitivity in handling cases related to sexual offences.

  • Property dealer shot at by 15 attackers near Dhilwan toll plaza in Kapurthala

    Property dealer shot at by 15 attackers near Dhilwan toll plaza in Kapurthala

    Kapurthala: A property dealer from Moga was injured after being attacked by a group of 15 armed assailants near the Dhilwan toll plaza in Punjab’s Kapurthala district around 1 am on Monday, police said.

    The attackers reportedly opened fire, and a bullet grazed the victim’s ear. He is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Faridkot.

    The victim, Amandeep Singh Gill, was returning from airport with his friend and relative when their Audi car was rear-ended by an I-20 near the toll plaza. Moments later, a Verna and a Scorpio also arrived and blocked their vehicle.

    Fifteen men emerged from the vehicles, three of them carrying pistols while the others were armed with baseball bats and sticks. One of the attackers reportedly climbed onto the Audi during the assault.

    Amandeep managed to escape by ramming his car through the attackers’ vehicles. Police later arrived at the scene and registered an FIR under various sections of the Arms Act against unidentified assailants. The entire incident was captured on a CCTV camera.

    Amandeep is known to be a property dealer in Moga and is currently involved in constructing a marriage palace in the area. Police said an investigation is underway.