At least three people were killed and eight others injured in a grenade blast at a religious congregation in Amritsar’s Rajasansi village on Sunday, police said. The blast took place at Nirankari Satsang Bhawan, they added.
Amritsar police commissioner, S Srivastva said, “It is suspected to be terrorist attack. We have been probing. No arrest has been made so far. Two unidentified men attacked the congregation.”
According to multiple eyewitnesses, two masked men riding a motorcycle threw something at the crowd that caused the blast. Identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Meanwhile, a forensic team had reached the spot to investigate the blast while the police have cordoned off the entire area.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reviewed the law and order situation and directed Home Secretary, DGP, DG Law & Order, and DG Intelligence to rush to Rajasansi for supervising the probe. Security has been beefed up at Nirankari Bhawans across the state on the CM’s directions. The chief minister announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the deceased and free treatment for the injured.
“I appeal to the people of Punjab to maintain peace in wake of Amritsar bomb blast. I urge them not to panic and to remain calm. We will not let the forces of terror destroy our hard earned peace,” he tweeted.
Punjab was on alert following an input claiming that “a group of six to seven JeM terrorists” were reportedly in the state, possibly in Ferozepur area. The state was also put on alert after four persons snatched an SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.
Punjab Congress Chief Sunil Jakhar expressed his condolences.
“My condolences are with families of those who lost lives in this incident. It is an attempt to disturb peace in Punjab. I believe all the security agencies should stay alert and coordinate with each other to maintain peace,” he told ANI.