As the political war over stubble burning and Delhi’s air pollution intensifies, India Today visited the Sangrur-Patiala highway in Punjab’s Patiala district, where farm fires were spotted burning in the darkness. Thick smoke and smog were visible along the highway, highlighting that stubble burning continues in the state despite a decline in cases compared to previous years. Punjab has already recorded over 2,000 stubble-burning incidents this year. The ground visuals come amid a war of words between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party, with BJP leader Anurag Thakur accusing the Punjab government of shirking responsibility, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann rejected the allegations, claiming Punjab’s farmers were being unfairly blamed for Delhi’s pollution.