At least three people were killed, while ten others sustained injuries after a hand grenade was reportedly thrown at a religious congregation at Raja Sansi village near Amritsar on Sunday.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack that happened during a religious congregation of the Nirankari sect.
The attack has come at a time when the Punjab police is on high alert following intelligence input on infiltration of six to seven Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists from across the International Border.
Police said that initial reports suggest that two motorcycle-borne assailants threw a grenade at a gathering of Nirankari sect, who were performing religious ceremony in the Nirankari Bhawan at Raja Sansi village.
“Two motorcycle-borne youths have reportedly thrown grenade on the gathering. Three people have died while ten other are injured.” Inspector General of Police, Border Range, S.P.S Parmar told reporters.
Enough leads in the case, says MHA
Two turbaned youths threw a hand grenade at a religious gathering in Amritsar, where three people were killed and at least 10 others injured, Union Home Ministry officials said. According to an initial report, two motorcycle borne youths wearing turbans threw the grenade at a prayer hall brimming with around 200 devotees at Raja Sansi village.
The Punjab Police and the central security agencies have launched the investigation, but it is too early to come to any conclusion, they said.
There are “enough leads” and the probe is going in the right direction, the officials said.
The Punjab Police had carried out “fantastic” investigations into the killing of seven RSS men in the past and the force is capable of unearthing the conspiracy behind similar incidents, another ministry official said.
The blast occurred during a religious gathering of the Nirankari sect at Nirankari Bhavan in Adliwal village near Amritsar’s Rajasansi, which is close to the international airport.
Punjab was on an alert following an input that a group of six to seven JeM terrorists were reportedly in the state, possibly in Ferozepur area.
The state was put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.
Amarinder Singh reviews law and order situation
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reviewed the law and order situation in the State in the wake of the grenade attack.
While reviewing the law and order situation, Mr. Singh directed the Home Secretary, DGP, DG (Law and Order) and DG Intelligence to rush to Raja Sansi in Amritsar to supervise investigations, an official spokesman said in Chandigarh.
“Strongly condemn the bomb blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar... My heart goes out to victims of the Amritsar bomb blast and their families... My govt 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,” Mr. Singh tweeted.
On the directions of the Chief Minister, security has been strengthened at all Nirankari Bhawans in the State, the spokesman said.
He said Mr. Singh has announced ₹5 lakh as compensation to the next of kin of the deceased, and free treatment for the injured.
The State was put on alert after four persons carjacked an SUV at gunpoint near Madhopur area in Pathankot district last week.
JeM infiltration
The Counter Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police earlier this week issued a circular regarding infiltration of six to seven Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists from the International Border in Ferozepur area of Punjab.
“According to an input, a group of six-seven JeM terrorists are reportedly in Punjab [possibly Ferozepur area] and planning to move towards Delhi from Punjab side,” read the note issued by the Counter Intelligence Inspector General.
The letter pointed out that in the wake of the input there is a need to mount special and strong ''nakas'' at all important points and routes, conduct strict vehicular checking and take suitable counter measures for all sensitive locations.
It added that “... there is a need to review and strengthen the second line of defence along the Indo-Pakistan border and to coordinate closely with BSF and other police-defence establishments.”
Punjab police also have intelligence input regarding movement of the chief of Jammu and Kashmir-based Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terror outfit with reported links to JeM — near Amritsar.
“We received input regarding Zakir Musa's movement a few days ago near Amritsar, after which we are on high alert, and security had beefed up the security,” Swarandeep Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur had earlier told, The Hindu .
Reprehensible act of violence: Rajnath
"Deeply anguished by the death of innocent people in a grenade attack at Amritsar in Punjab today. 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," Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted on the Amritsar blast.
"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," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
