Security agencies in Punjab are investigating a suspected terror link to a recent explosion in the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh. The Punjab Police suspect that the blast in Nalagarh was likely carried out at the behest of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as part of a strategy to destabilize the region.
Blast Claim and Alleged Motive
On Thursday, a purported joint press note from the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA) surfaced, claiming responsibility for the explosive incident. The note identified Gopi Nawanshehria and Kabal Singh as the individuals behind the planning and execution of the mission.
Gopi Nawanshehria, based in the United States, has previously claimed responsibility for several blasts targeting police establishments in Punjab since November 2024. The groups justified the attack by alleging that synthetic drugs manufactured in Himachal Pradesh's pharmaceutical hub, the Baddi-Nalagarh region, were being sent to Punjab.
The press note accused the police administration of inaction, stating, "Despite the police administration being aware of this, no action was taken, and the youth were being killed by drugs, and that is why we had to give an answer." It issued a warning that if action was not taken, the next improvised explosive device (IED) would target police vehicles and headquarters.
Police Investigation and ISI Angle
A senior officer from the Punjab Police told The Times of India that the blast appears to be the work of the same elements responsible for earlier explosions in Punjab. The officer asserted that these actions are being orchestrated by the ISI to create disturbance in the region located north-west of Delhi and south of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Dismissing the ideological reasoning provided in the claim note, the officer stated, "As far as ideological reasons citing drugs have been mentioned, it is all a farce. The gullible youth are hired by foreign-based handlers to get such blasts carried out for a sum of money. There is no ideology in this."
The officer confirmed that Punjab Police is coordinating with Himachal Pradesh Police to gather evidence, including photographs and CCTV footage from the blast site in Nalagarh. While investigating the latest claim, the officer noted that the past pattern of responsibility claimed by BKI and PSA for similar blasts in Punjab strongly suggests they likely carried out this attack under ISI directives.
Broader Security Implications
This incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, where cross-border agencies are suspected of leveraging local militant groups to foment instability. The use of the drug trade as a purported justification points to complex socio-economic issues being exploited for violent agendas.
The investigation remains active, with security forces on high alert to prevent any further attempts to disrupt peace in the strategically significant area bordering multiple states and a union territory.
