A day after a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was fired at the Punjab Police's intelligence headquarters in Mohali on Monday evening, state Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Tuesday, 10 May, that the police were investigating the blast in Mohali and "whoever tried to spoil the atmosphere of our Punjab will not be spared."
A red alert was issued for Amritsar and security heightened in the border city on Tuesday, in wake of the blast, as per news agency ANI. "Security has been increased at vital installations across the city. Law and order situation is completely under control," Amritsar Police Commissioner Arun Pal Singh was quoted as saying.
The RPG-like attack had led to a minor blast in Mohali on Monday night, as per the police, and shattered the glass of the intelligence headquarters. However, the grenade did not explode. The area was then cordoned off.
Media reports on Tuesday afternoon suggested that another explosion had rattled Mohali. However, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vivek Soni denied these claims.
Later in the evening, the District Public Relations Officer, SAS Nagar, said, "A number of suspects have been rounded up and questioned. The launcher used in the attack has been recovered by the police and all leads developed in the case are being pursued meticulously."
CM Mann Holds Meet With DGP
CM Mann chaired a meeting at his residence on Tuesday morning with the Director-General of Police (DGP) and other senior officers to seek a report on the course of action till then.
He reiterated after the meeting that strict punishment would be given and that things would be clearer by evening.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also reacted to the incident and said in a tweet:
"Mohali blast is a cowardly act of those who want to disturb the peace of Punjab. Aam Aadmi Party's Punjab government will not allow those people's wishes to be fulfilled. Peace will be maintained under all circumstances with the cooperation of all the people of Punjab and the culprits will be punished severely."
What Happened in Mohali?
Punjab Police told The Quint, "An RPG was fired from a vehicle from outside the Intelligence HQ in SAS Nagar. We cannot confirm or deny a terror angle as of now. A probe is on." No casualties were reported.
The Mohali Police had earlier said in a statement, "A minor explosion was reported at the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in sector 77, SAS Nagar at around 7.45 pm. No damage has been reported. Senior officers are on the spot and an investigation is being done. Forensic teams have been called," NDTV reported.
Punjab DGP Viresh Kumar Bhawra said, "We have leads in this case, and soon we will solve this case. The explosive used is suspected to be TNT."
He stated that a few suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the blast, as per reports.
As a precautionary measure, a team of Punjab Police and Punjab Police commandos has been deployed outside the Intelligence headquarters, Sector 77, SAS Nagar.
The state police had earlier recovered an explosive device packed with around 1.5 kg of RDX on Sunday. Two men in a village in the Tarn Taran district were also arrested in connection with the same.
‘Urge CM Mann To Ensure Perpetrators Are Brought to Justice’: Amarinder Singh
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh expressed his shock at the incident and said in a tweet, "Shocked to hear about the blast at the Punjab Police Intelligence headquarter in Mohali. Thankfully nobody was hurt. This brazen attack on our police force is deeply concerning and I urge CM Bhagwant Mann to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice at the earliest."
Further, former deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said in a tweet, "The bomb blast in Mohali is a sign of deep communalism. I strongly condemn this incident and urge the Punjab government to investigate and take stern action against those who are intent on disturbing the peace of Punjab."
Attacking the newly-elected AAP government in the state, Akali Dal’s Sukhbir Singh Badal tweeted, “Deeply shocked at the blast at Punjab Police's Intelligence Bureau HQs, Mohali, exposing serious security lapses and highlighting once again the deteriorating law & order situation in Punjab. Thorough probe required to expose & punish those responsible.”
Later on Tuesday, Congress' Jaiveer ShergillI urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to "engage Central probe agencies in the matter" stating that AAP government is "not capable to handle so, nor does it have the right intent...AAP govt in Punjab is harmful for state's security," news agency ANI reported.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI and NDTV.)
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