Here are the major news headlines from Punjab reported on Thursday, June 18, 2026:
1. AAP Claims Forensic Tests Clear CM Bhagwant Mann in Sacrilege Video Row
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced that two independent, government-recognized laboratories found no match between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the individual in a controversial video. This follows the Akal Takht declaring him “Guru Dokhi.” Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal dismissed the reports and dared the CM to take a lie detector test.
2. Statewide Public Holiday Observed for Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s Martyrdom Day
The Punjab Government declared a statewide holiday on June 18 to observe the martyrdom anniversary (Shaheedi Diwas) of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. All government offices, educational institutions, boards, and corporations remained closed.
3. Long-Pending Qadian-Beas Rail Project Revived after a Century
The Government of India officially accelerated the historic Qadian–Beas New Railway Line Project in Punjab’s Majha region. Financed at approximately ₹1,400 crore, the 39.68-kilometer broad-gauge corridor will connect towns across Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts and will feature India’s indigenous Kavach train collision avoidance system.
4. IMD Predicts Western Disturbances to Bring Relief from Heatwave
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a fresh cycle of western disturbances moving into the region. Showers and scattered rainfall are expected across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh between June 18 and June 22, breaking the intense summer heat.
5. Two Dead in Gurdwara Roof Collapse Incident
Tragedy struck in Bhindi Aulakh as the head sewadar of Gurdwara Damdama Sahib and another local youth lost their lives following a sudden roof collapse incident on Thursday.
6. Minister Harpal Cheema Demands Central Law to Prevent Hooch Tragedies
Punjab Finance, Excise, and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema urged the Union Government to enact immediate central legislation regulating the sales and monitoring of Methyl Alcohol (Methanol) to prevent illegal liquor fatalities.
7. Sangrur Youth Secures AIR 10 in CA Final Exams
Yudhvir Singh from Sangrur made the state proud by securing All India Rank (AIR) 10 in the Chartered Accountants (CA) Final examination results, drawing widespread praise for bringing rural talent to the national spotlight.
8. Public Relations Dept. Organizes Massive ‘Chhabeel’ at Civil Secretariat
To mark both Nirjala Ekadashi and the Shaheedi Gurpurab of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Information and Public Relations Department of Punjab organized a traditional sweet-water Chhabeel and Langar distribution at the Punjab Civil Secretariat-1 in Chandigarh.
9. New Patiala Municipal Commissioner Takes Charge
Pooja Syal Grewal officially assumed charge as the new Municipal Commissioner of Patiala, stating that speeding up pending infrastructure and development works across Patiala city will be her top priority.
10. Heavy Vigilance Continues Following ₹20 Crore Heroin Seizure
Security and anti-drug operations remained highly active across the border belt following a joint operation by the Amritsar Rural Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) that successfully intercepted and seized 3.05 kg of heroin valued at ₹20 crore.
