Grenade Blast In Amritsar: Police Encounter Leads To Death Of One Suspect

A grenade attack at the Thakur Dwara Mandir in Amritsar on March 15,  left the temple damaged but miraculously caused no injuries.

On March 17, the Punjab Police tracked down two suspects involved in the attack. One suspect was killed in a police encounter, while the other escaped.

The police tracked the suspects to Rajasansi, Amritsar, after receiving intelligence-based information.

When the police tried to apprehend the suspects, they opened fire, injuring Head Constable Gurpreet Singh and striking the turban of Inspector Amolak Singh.

The police retaliated in self-defense, injuring one suspect, who later succumbed to his injuries at Civil Hospital. The other suspect managed to escape, and authorities are actively pursuing him.

Context Of The Attack

This blast marked a significant event in Amritsar, being the first grenade attack on a religious place in the city.

CCTV footage revealed that the two suspects arrived on a bike, threw a grenade at the temple, and fled the scene.

Fortunately, a priest and his family, residing on the upper floor, were unharmed during the attack.The incident has sparked political debate in Punjab.

The Shiromani Akali Dal has called for a judicial probe, while BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh demanded a CBI investigation.

Chugh criticized the AAP-led state government for its inability to maintain law and order, particularly concerning the rising number of grenade attacks in the region.

He also raised concerns about Pakistan’s potential involvement in the attack.

Growing Concerns Over Law & Order

The Shiromani Akali Dal has expressed alarm over the increasing frequency of grenade attacks in Punjab, labeling them as a tactic to disturb communal harmony and peace in the region.

The blast was the 13th such incident in the area, further escalating fears about the security situation in the state.

Akali Dal leader Daljit Cheema emphasized that these attacks hurt public sentiment and appeared to be part of a larger conspiracy to disrupt peace.

He also stressed that both the Union and state governments should take responsibility for addressing the deteriorating law and order situation and avoid interfering in religious matters, particularly those related to Sikh institutions.

Ongoing Investigations

While the police continue their efforts to track down the second suspect, the case has sparked discussions on broader security issues in Punjab.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of external involvement and are looking into potential links with terrorist activities.

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