Amritsar (Punjab) [India]: A blast occurred at Thakurdwara Temple in Khandwala, Amritsar, late last night after two bike-borne men lobbed a suspected explosive device at the temple.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing two young men on a motorcycle throw a suspicious object toward the temple. CCTV footage has captured the incident, and no injuries were reported. Police personnel were present at the scene soon after the blast to begin investigations.
Amritsar Commissioner GPS Bhullar has suggested that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, may be involved in the incident.
“We got information at 2 a.m. We reached the spot right away. The forensic team was called… We checked the CCTV and spoke to the nearby people. The thing is that Pakistan’s ISI lures our youth into creating disturbances in Punjab,” Bhullar stated.
Expressing confidence in a swift resolution to the case, Bhullar said, “We will trace this case within days and take appropriate action.” He also issued a stern warning to the youth, urging them to avoid destructive influences. “I warn the youth not to ruin their lives… We will catch the culprits soon,” he added.
According to preliminary investigations, the suspects were seen on CCTV carrying a flag while standing near the temple for some time before throwing the explosive device.
Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal confirmed that police have taken control of the situation.
“There were some miscreants who hurled a grenade at a temple after 12 am. There are no injuries or casualties… The situation is under control… Two people have been identified… The police are in action; they will be caught within a day,” Dhaliwal said.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the incident, emphasizing that such attempts to disturb Punjab’s peace are ongoing.
“There are always many attempts to disturb the peace in Punjab. Drugs, gangsters, and extortion are part of it, and there are attempts to show that Punjab has become a disturbed state… During the festival of Holi in other states, the police had to use a lathi charge during processions. But such things do not happen in Punjab… The law and order situation in Punjab is good,” Mann stated.
The temple blast follows another violent incident where at least five people were injured after an assailant attacked individuals with an iron rod inside the Golden Temple premises. The attack occurred at Shri Guru Ramdas Sarai, a lodging facility for pilgrims.
Authorities are investigating both incidents to ensure the safety and security of the region.