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PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 18
Three persons were killed and 22 injured in a grenade explosion inside Nirankari Bhavan at Adliwal village near Amritsar’s Rajasansi village on Sunday.
DGP Suresh Arora called it “an act of terror”. He said a team of the National Investigation Agency would be reaching the city on Monday.
The incident occurred despite the Punjab Police being on high alert after armed persons, suspected to be Pakistan infiltrators, snatched a vehicle in Pathankot a few days ago.
Witnesses said two persons on a motorcycle, their faces covered, entered the complex along with the sangat (devotees). One of them pointed a gun at a sewadar, identified as Gagan, manning the entrance gate, and took him into a corner. He then called his accomplice waiting in the parking area. The latter rushed inside the hall and set off the explosion.
“There was a deafening sound. I saw people rushing out, many of them bleeding,” said Gagan, adding that the assailants may have slipped away in the commotion. Gurbaz Singh, among those injured, said he was seated near the dais when he saw an “object” being flung. Soon after there was a blast.
“Both I and my wife Surjit Kaur were injured. My younger son Navpreet had a narrow escape. My elder son Lovepreet was at the joda ghar (place where devotees keep their footwear),” he said.
Gurbaz Singh said as he rushed his wife to a hospital, he saw two youths, “both sporting a woollen shawl”, escape on a motorcycle.
Senior police and administrative officials reached the site within minutes. The Nirankaris did not allow the media inside. SPS Parmar, IGP, Border Range, said at least 200 devotees were inside the hall when attacked. There were no CCTV cameras.
Education Minister OP Soni, Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Amritsar (West) MLA Raj Kumar Verka visited the site too. The latter called it a failure of the security and Intelligence agencies.
DGP Suresh Arora, DGP (Law and Order), DGP (Intelligence) and the Home Secretary reached Rajasansi in the evening. He said security at Nirankari Bhavans across the state had been fortified.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh did not rule out the possible involvement of ISI-based Khalistani or Kashmiri terror groups. He announced Rs 5 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.
Terrorists’ role not ruled out
Possibility of involvement of ISI-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri terror groups can’t be ruled out… Nobody will be allowed to get away with trying to disturb peace. Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister
He threw something and ran
Each Sunday, I do sewa at the bhavan. I was on duty near the stage when I saw a person, who appeared young, with his face covered, throw something and run. There was a blast, smoke all over. Everyone ran for lives Simranjeet Kaur, witness
Strongest possible action
Capt Amarinder apprised me of the situation. Strongest possible action will be taken against the perpetrators of this crime. Rajnath Singh, Union HM
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