Three people were killed and at least 20 were injured in a grenade blast on Sunday, in Rajasansi village, Amritsar.
The incident took place in Nirankari Bhawan, where 250 people gathered for a religious ceremony. Two men, covering their faces, entered the Bhawan and threatened the people by showing a gun. After a while, the two men threw a grenade and fled from the spot on a motorcycle.
The grenade explosion injured 20 people, who were taken to a nearby hospital and the deceased bodies were sent for an autopsy.
The police rushed to the spot and started an investigation. They are analysing the CCTV footage to identify the attackers.
Suresh Arora, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP,) said, “It appears to have a terror angle. Because it is against a group 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 will take it as that.”
Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister of Punjab, said, “The hand of ISI backed Khalistani or Kashmiri terror groups can’t be ruled out.” In addition, he ordered a probe and assured the Government will not allow ‘forces of terror’ to ruin the hard earned peace in the State.
The Khalistan movement was started by Sikh militants in the 1970s for the creation of a new homeland in Punjab, Khalistan, for the Sikhs.
Mr. Singh announced an ex gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs to the family of the 3 deceased and free treatment for the injured. The deceased were identified as Sandip Singh, Sukhdev Kumar and Kuldeep Singh.
Political leaders took to Twitter to convey their condolences to the victims’ families.
Strongly condemn the bomb blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar. Have asked Home Secy and @PunjabPoliceInd DGP, DGP Intelligence and DGP Law & Order to rush to the spot to investigate.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 18, 2018
