Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday visited the sites of Tuesday’s low-intensity blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar. He said preliminary findings suggest involvement of Pakistan-backed elements trying to disturb peace in the state.
Addressing mediapersons after inspecting the Khassa cantonment boundary wall in Amritsar, the DGP said the incident appeared to be part of Pakistan’s “ISI design” aimed at creating unrest in Punjab. He said the timing of the incident raised suspicion as the anniversary linked to Operation Sindoor was approaching, adding that the blasts could be part of attempts by Pakistan’s intelligence agency to create disruption in the region.
The DGP confirmed that a low-intensity blast took place near the boundary wall of the Army area at Khassa cantonment on Tuesday night. After the incident, teams of Punjab Police, the Bomb Disposal Squad and forensic experts were deployed to secure the area and collect evidence.
"Today I visited Amritsar. Yesterday, a low-intensity explosion took place in the army area. I visited that crime scene... A low-intensity explosion was reported from the boundary wall of the army camp located at Khassa cantonment. After that, senior officers of Punjab Bomb Disposal Squads, Punjab Police and Forensic Experts were called to the spot, and after sanitising the area completely, samples from the exhibits were collected for scientific examination," the DGP said.
He further stated that an FIR has been registered under relevant legal provisions and that the investigation is being conducted in coordination with the Army and other agencies. Multiple teams are analysing human intelligence, technical inputs and forensic evidence to trace those responsible.
"An FIR has been registered under the relevant sections of law. Investigation is being carried out in close coordination with the Army and other agencies. Multiple teams are working on this. They are investigating human intelligence, technical intelligence, and forensic inputs," DGP Yadav stated.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday morning started securing forensic evidence and collecting information from the blast sites in Punjab. Sources said the agency will assist state authorities in the investigation.
Sources said NIA teams are on their way to the blast sites in Jalandhar and Amritsar and are expected to work jointly with Punjab Police to collect evidence and examine the incidents.
The Amritsar police restricted public movement in certain areas on Wednesday while investigating the blast reported near the Khassa cantonment area. Assistant Sub-Inspector Karam Singh said roads had been closed as part of surveillance measures.
ASI Karam Singh said police received information about the explosion and immediately secured the area, adding that surveillance operations were underway.
The explosion near the cantonment area in Khassa occurred around 10:50 pm on Tuesday, prompting a swift response from police and security agencies. Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported.
Amritsar SP Aditya S. Warrier said police received information about a suspected explosion and senior officers reached the spot along with Army personnel stationed in the cantonment area.
The Bomb Disposal Squad carried out a detailed inspection at the site, while the Forensic Science Laboratory team collected samples and evidence. The material has been sent for analysis to determine the exact cause and nature of the incident.
Warrier said police are examining the sequence of events and verifying how many blasts took place and how they were carried out. Further investigation is ongoing and more details are awaited.
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