Grenade Attack at Punjab BJP Office in Chandigarh Sparks Security Alert
In a shocking incident on Wednesday evening, two men lobbed a hand grenade at the Punjab BJP office located in Chandigarh's Sector 37, triggering widespread panic and a high-level security alert across the city. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the explosive device detonated in a parking area, falling short of the office's boundary wall.
Details of the Attack and Immediate Response
The blast occurred around 4:50 PM, described by UT SSP Kanwardeep Kaur as a low-intensity explosion. Police officials, including IG Pushpendra Kumar, SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, and other senior officers, rushed to the scene along with fire brigade teams, a dog squad, and forensic specialists. The area was immediately sealed off for investigation.
Forensic teams collected fragments from the grenade, identified as a Chinese-made P86 model, and found splinter marks on walls, the ground, and at least two vehicles. CCTV cameras captured the faces of the two suspects, who are currently being identified by authorities.
Video Evidence and Claim of Responsibility
A 10-second video, apparently self-filmed, surfaced on social media shortly after the attack. The footage shows a man retrieving a blue-colored hand grenade from his pocket, with an audible instruction to throw it at the BJP office. After pulling the pin, he lobs the grenade over parked cars, and both individuals sprint away, with a blast heard off-camera. The man holding the grenade is seen with a helmet tucked under his arm, suggesting the use of a two-wheeler for escape.
In a social media post, the separatist group Babbar Khalsa claimed responsibility for the attack, linking it to revenge for the killing of gangster Simranjit Singh Babbar Leva and alleging fake encounters by Punjab police. However, police have not yet confirmed this claim and are scrutinizing the post as part of their investigation.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar condemned the attack, labeling it an attempt to disrupt communal harmony in the state. He criticized the government for failing to prevent such incidents, noting a series of recent attacks, including grenade assaults on police stations and vandalism of a statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar in Hoshiarpur.
In response, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed the allegations, accusing the opposition of blaming him for various issues in Chandigarh, from student protests to the recent blast. State Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring expressed grave concern, calling it a reflection of security and intelligence failures, particularly given Chandigarh's status as the capital housing high-profile officials.
Impact on Local Community and Security Measures
BJP youth functionary Gurdeep Singh reported that his car was damaged by pellets from the blast, with an eyewitness describing two individuals fleeing after throwing a bomb-like object. A scooter belonging to a BJP IT Cell member was also affected. In the aftermath, police have ordered night patrolling by all station house officers and are intensively analyzing CCTV footage to trace the suspects' escape route.
This incident underscores growing security challenges in the region, with authorities on high alert to prevent further violence and maintain public safety.
