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Says, “Punjab has shown entire country path to protecting honour of Guru Sahiban by enacting strictest law against beadbi”

Patna, May 18

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib, the sacred birthplace and land blessed by the footsteps of the Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji, said Punjab has shown the entire country the path to protecting the honour of the Gurus by enacting the strictest law against beadbi. Offering prayers for the prosperity, well-being, and Chardi Kala of Punjab, Punjabis, and the entire Sikh Sangat, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed gratitude to Guru Sahib for blessing Punjab with the opportunity to enact a stringent law against beadbi in order to uphold the sanctity and dignity of the holy Shabad Guru. Calling beadbi an unforgivable crime against the faith of millions, the Chief Minister appealed to all state governments across the country to bring similar-ly tough laws, asserting that Punjab was ready to extend every possible help in this regard. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further made it clear that anyone daring to commit beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Punjab would now have to spend their entire life in jail, send-ing a firm message that no act hurting religious senti-ments would be tolerated anymore.

Sharing a few snip-pets on X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, I had the privilege of paying obeisance at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, the sacred birthplace and land blessed by the footsteps of the Tenth Sikh Guru Master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. I bowed before the Guru and offered prayers for the prosperity, well-being, and ever-rising spirit of Punjab, Punjabis, and the entire Sikh Sangat. I also expressed my heartfelt gratitude to the Guru Sahib for blessing us with the opportunity to uphold the sanctity of the holy Shabad Guru by enact-ing a strict law against bead-bi. May Guru Sahib continue to shower His immense blessings upon everyone.”

After paying obeisance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I was blessed with the opportunity to pay obei-sance at Takht Sri Harimandir Ji (Patna Sahib), the sacred birthplace of Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Bowing before Guru Sahib’s divine presence, I prayed for the prosperity, well-being and eternal Chardi Kala of Punjab, Punjabis and the entire Sikh Sangat across the world.”

The Chief Minister said that not only Sikhs, but every human being derives strength and inspiration from the sacred land blessed by the great Gurus. He noted that the teachings of Guru Sahib continue to guide humanity on the path of truth, compassion and uni-versal brotherhood.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I prayed that the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood becomes stronger with every passing day and that Punjab continues to lead the country in every sphere.” He added that he had sought blessings from the Almighty to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Punjab and serve them with complete dedica-tion and commitment.

The Chief Minister further stated, “After paying obei-sance at this divine land, I feel rejuvenated. This visit has filled me with new vigour and enthusiasm to serve the people of Punjab with missionary zeal.”

“India, Norway back dialogue over conflict: PM Modi” PT News Oslo, May 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (May 18, 2026) called for a resolution of the West Asia crisis and the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, asserting that military action alone cannot achieve lasting peace.

Mr. Modi made the remarks after holding wide-ranging talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store that focused on boosting the overall trajectory of bilateral relations.

“India and Norway, both, believe in a rules-based order, dialogue, and diplomacy. We agree that no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone,” Mr. Modi said in his televised statement to the media.

“Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support every effort for the early end of the conflict and for peace,” he said.

Mr. Modi met Mr. Store hours after he landed in Oslo from Sweden as part of his four-nation European tour. In his remarks, the Prime Minister also underlined the need for reform of the global institutions. “We also agree on this point that reforming global institutions is essential for addressing the growing global challenges.” “And eradicating terrorism in every form from its roots is our shared commitment,” he noted. Mr. Modi also complimented Norway for its support to India following last year’s Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

“I was supposed to visit Norway last year, but had to postpone that trip due to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. During that difficult time, Norway stood firmly with India against terrorism, demonstrating true friendship,” he said.

“Today, as I visit Norway, I express my heartfelt gratitude for that solidarity,” he said. Mr. Modi also hailed Norway’s decision to join the India-led Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

“As two major maritime nations, we will work together to strengthen cooperation in the marine economy, maritime security, and capacity building,” he said.

PT News Patiala, May 18

Dealing a major blow to the circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state, Counter Intelligence Patiala (CI Unit Malerkotla) has busted a fake currency module with the arrest of four individuals and recovered counterfeit currency worth Rs.5.50 lakh, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday. Those arrested have been identified as Nazar Khan, a resident of village Jhuni in Malerkotla; Raj Mohammad, a resident of Dhuri in Sangrur; Mukhtiyar Singh alias Gurjit Singh, a resident of village Malikpur in Jind, Haryana; and Asif Ali, a resident of Malerkotla.

All Recovered Fake Indian Currency Notes Are In Rs.500 Denomination: DGP Gaurav Yadav

Gaurav Yadav said that all the recovered fake Indian currency notes are in ₹500 denomination. Preliminary investigation has revealed that arrested accused Raj Mohammad already has a criminal background, with one FIR related to the NDPS Act registered against him, he said. The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages of this network. Sharing operational details, AIG CI Patiala Dr Simrat Kaur said that in a meticulous operation carried out by the team of the CI Unit Malerkotla, two suspects— Nazar Khan and Raj Mohammad— were arrested and Rs.4 lakh fake Indian currency notes were recovered from their possession. During further investigation, two more accused— Mukhtiyar Singh alias Gurjit Singh and Asif Ali were also arrested and Rs.1.5 lakh additional fake Indian currency notes were effected from their possession, she said. The AIG said that more arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days as investigation progresses. In this regard, a case FIR No 159 dated 17.05.2026 under sections 179 and 180 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Police Station Amargarh in Malerkotla.

PT News Amritsar, May 18

Air India Express has resumed its direct flight services between Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar (ATQ), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The airline restarted its daily Amritsar-Dubai operations on May 16. Furthermore, IndiGo is also set to resume its Amritsar-Sharjah flights from May 20. The daily Air India Express flight departs from Amritsar at 2:20 am and arrives in Dubai at 4:55 am. The return flight departs Dubai at 5:55 am and lands in Amritsar at 11:40 am. For Sharjah, IndiGo’s flight departs Amritsar at 12:15 pm and arrives at 2:40 pm, while Air India Express departs at 1:15 pm and reaches Sharjah at 4:05 pm. Both return flights from Sharjah depart at 5:05 pm and arrive in Amritsar at 10:45 pm and 10:30 pm, respectively.

Residents and aviation activists have welcomed the gradual restoration of direct flights between Amritsar and the UAE. Flight operations had faced disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, escalation between Iran and Israel, and temporary airspace closures across the Middle East. Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, stated that with the stabilisation of regional airspace, international carriers are restoring their normal schedules.

Delhi court sends coaching centre founder Motegaonkar to 9-day CBI custody

PT News
New Delhi, May 18

The investigation into the NEET UG paper leak case widened further on Monday after the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a coaching institute founder from Maharashtra’s Latur, a city long associated with competitive exam preparation and medical entrance coaching. The agency arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, founder of Renukai Chemistry Classes, after conducting searches in Latur on Sunday. Officials said a leaked question paper for the NEET UG examination was recovered from his mobile phone during the opera-tion. Following this, he was taken into custody. A Delhi court on Monday sent Motegaonkar to nine days’ CBI custody. Special CBI judge Ajay Gupta allowed nine days of custodial interrogation of the accused after the federal agency sought 10 days of custody. The latest arrest comes just two days after the CBI arrested Pune-based biology lecturer Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, who was part of the NTA’s paper setting committee, after questioning her in Delhi.

According to investigators, Motegaonkar was allegedly part of an organised network involved in the leak and circulation of the NEET UG 2026 question paper. The CBI has claimed that he, along with other accused persons, received the examination paper and answer key before the exam and circulated it among several individuals. For the past four days, CBI teams have remained stationed in Latur as part of the expanding probe. The federal agency had earlier registered an FIR after allegations of a paper leak led to the cancellation of the NEET UG examination held on May 3.

By Baljit Singh Brar Ludhiana, May 18

In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state, Ludhiana Commissionerate Police, in a joint operation with Counter Intelligence (CI) Punjab, has busted a transnational terror-gangster nexus with the arrest of its two operatives and recovered three illegal pistols— two .30 bore and one .315 bore— along with 11 live cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday. Those arrested have been identified as Anuraj alias Gaurav Masih and Ankush, both residents of Phillaur in Jalandhar.

Arrested accused Ankush is a habitual offender and was previously booked under an attempt to murder case registered at Police Station Goraya. Apart from recovering weapons, police teams have also impounded their Bajaj CT 100 motorcycle (without a registration number), which they were using for criminal activities. DGP Gaurav

Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were acting on directions of foreign-based handlers operating from Germany and Dubai, UAE, and had been assigned high-profile targeted shootings. Their timely arrest has successfully averted potentially serious criminal activities, he said. The DGP said that

further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages of this network to identify other associates involved. Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Ludhiana Swapan Sharma said that a joint police party of the CIA Staff and Counter Intelligence Ludhiana had established a

Naka within the jurisdiction of Police Station Ladowal. Acting swiftly on precise intelligence that two armed individuals were waiting near the Hardy’s World area to execute a sensational criminal offence, the police team conducted a tactical raid and apprehended both suspects, he said.

The CP said that during preliminary interrogation, the arrested operatives made disclosures regarding their operational hierarchy confessing to being active members of an organised, transnational criminal syndicate operated directly by foreign-based handlers. “These overseas handlers utilised their network to supply high-grade weapons to the arrested operatives and had assigned them specific, high-value targets,” he said.

PT News New Delhi, May 18

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday announced that officials of the agriculture and rural development ministries headed by him have collectively decided not to purchase gold for the next one year. He made the announcement in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to citizens for judicious use of resources to strengthen the Indian economy, and shield people from the adverse impact of the West Asia conflict. “Officials of the agriculture and rural development and related departments have collectively decided not to purchase gold for the next one year. Official tours and visits will be limited and regulated according to necessity.

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