November 18, 2018
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday did not rule out the possibility of the involvement of ISI-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri terror groups behind the grenade attack at a religious congregation at Nirankari Satsang Bhawan in Amritsar’s Rajasansi village on Sunday, which claimed three lives and left 15 people injured.
In a statement issued hours after the incident, the CM, who held a review meeting, said police teams were rushed to raid suspected hideouts of the assailants and multiple teams have begun investigating the various angles to crack the case.
Amarinder said while the state had been hit by a series of cases of targeted attacks since 2015-16, this was the first attempt, in a long time, to disrupt peace through indiscriminate killings. He added that such incidents only strengthened the belief that Pakistan was continuing with its nefarious activities to disturb the law and order in the state.
The CM also said that the preliminary probe had so far revealed that two men, one of them with a flowing beard and both with covered faces, had allegedly forced their way into the hall by brandishing a pistol. The duo detained the sewadar, lobbed the grenade into the prayer room and fled on a motorcycle.
A crater, which is three inches in diameter, was formed due to the impact of the explosion and is currently being examined by the forensic team. The safety valve of the grenade was also found and is being examined.
Earlier, soon after the blast, Amarinder had ordered the Home Secretary, DG Police, DG Law and Order and DG Intelligence to immediately rush to village Adliwal to supervise the probe.
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.
My heart goes out to victims of the Amritsar bomb blast & their families. My govt will give Rs 5 lakh to kin of each of the dead and free treatement to injured. Have asked district administration to extend all help.
The CM, who reviewed the law and order situation, also directed the police to enhance security across all sensitive areas. He assured that the culprits would be apprehended and brought to book. Nobody will be allowed to get away with trying to disrupt the peace and harmony of the state, he warned.
Besides announcing a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the dead, Amarinder directed the district administration to provide the best possible medical care, free of cost, to the injured.
The CM also appealed to the people not to panic and maintain peace and law and order. Let us remain calm, he said, adding that the government would ensure there is no chaos in the wake of the incident.
He pointed out that 15 such terror modules had been busted in the last 18 months. Kashmiri terror links surfaced in some instances after Kashmiri students were arrested from Jalandhar and in the Maqsudan police station grenade blast case.
Source : The Indian Express
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