Amritsar Blast Today: 3 Killed, Over 20 Injured; 2 Suspects Arrested From Bhatinda With Live Catridges; Probe Underway

On November 16, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had issued an alert and informed the police about the presence of Zakir Moosa, the chief of Jammu and Kashmir based Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terror outfit. Since then the Punjab police were on their toes and the state has been put on high alert.

New Delhi: Punjab police has arrested two suspects from Bhatinda in connection with the grenade attack which rocked a congregation of the Nirankari sect in Amritsar on Sunday. The officials have also recovered live catridges from their possession, claimed TV reports.

Notably, three people were killed and at least 22 were left injured after 2-3 bike borne assailants entered the congregation of the Nirankari, a spiritual organisation, in Adliwal village of the city and threw a grenade. Around 200 devotees were inside at the time of the attack. No CCTV camera was installed at the premises.

“It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle. Because it is against a group (of people) and it is not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it as that,”Punjab Director General of Police Suresh Arora had said earlier in the day.

CM Takes Stock of The Situation:

Soon after the attack, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reviewed the law and order situation and directed the Home Secretary, DGP (Law and Order) and DG Intelligence to rush to Rajasansi to supervise investigations. He also announced  Rs. 5 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.

“I strongly condemn the bomb blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar. I have asked Home Secretary and Punjab Police DGP, DGP Intelligence and DGP Law & Order to rush to the spot to investigate. My heart goes out to victims of the Amritsar bomb blast and their families. My government will give Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each of the dead and free treatment to the injured. Have asked district administration to extend all help,” the CM said, while urging people to stay calm.  Reports claimed that he might visit the blast site later in the day.

Home Minister Assures Action:

nion Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to the Punjab Chief Minister and took stock of the situation. He also vowed to take strongest possible action against the perpetrators of the crime. “Spoke to the Chief Minister of Punjab, @capt_amarinder ji who has apprised me of the situation in the wake of grenade attack in Amritsar. Strongest possible action will be taken against the perpetrators of this crime (sic),” Rajnath tweeted.

The home minister further said that he was deeply anguished by the death of the innocent people in the grenade attack in Amritsar. “It is a reprehensible act of violence. My condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this attack and prayers for speedy recovery of the injured,” Singh added.

Blame Game on: 

Hitting out at Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government, Former Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal said,”Peace and communal harmony in danger in Punjab under Congress rule. First Maqsudan blast, then army chief asserting need for alertness, now an attack in Amritsar. Congress  govt should not play with fire and act to ensure Punjab does not slip back into vortex of violence.”

He also claimed that the state has never experienced such an attack in the last 15 years. “We have been saying and warning the government from last month since the Army Chief came to Punjab,” Badal added.

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal also lambasted Punjab govt saying,”First bombs and now grenade attack in Amritsar, what next Raja saab? When will you and your ministers stop encouraging elements bent on disturbing hard won peace? Stop playing politics and get down to serious governance. Punjabis don’t want to go back into dark era.”

State on Alert

On November 16, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had issued an alert and informed the police about the presence of Zakir Moosa, the chief of Jammu and Kashmir based Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terror outfit. Since then the Punjab police were on their toes and the state has been put on high alert.

“We had inputs that some Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists have infiltrated in Punjab through Ferozepur, so we have taken precautionary measures. Extra forces have been deployed along the border. Checking of vehicles is underway,”  Gurdaspur police officer Swarandeep Singh had said.