Punjab Police have arrested two individuals allegedly connected to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in connection with a grenade attack on the Jalandhar residence of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia.
The accused, Zeeshan Akhtar and Shehzad Bhatti, were apprehended by police on Tuesday following an investigation into the early morning explosion, which caused substantial property damage. Police officials said no one was injured in the blast.
According to Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, “Police are now on the lookout for two other suspects believed to be involved in the plot.”
The explosion, which occurred around 1am, severely damaged the aluminium partition of Kalia’s house, shattered windowpanes, and left a hole in the floor at the entrance. A parked SUV and motorcycle were also damaged.
Kalia, a former cabinet minister and ex-president of the Punjab BJP, was present inside the house during the attack. “Initially, I thought it was a transformer blast, but soon realised it was much more serious,” he told reporters.
As per CCTV footage, an e-rickshaw was seen approaching the residence moments before the blast. Sparks and smoke followed the explosion, and a dog in the area was captured fleeing in fear.
Police believe the accused used the e-rickshaw to carry out the attack. The vehicle has since been recovered, and forensic teams are examining it for evidence.
Also read: Explosion outside BJP's Manoranjan Kalia's house in Punjab
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur confirmed the explosion was caused by a hand grenade. “A thorough investigation is underway,” she said, adding that additional security measures have been implemented across the city, including at bus stands and railway stations.
The incident has sparked political outrage, with several parties blaming the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government for the deteriorating law and order situation.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, condemning the attack, said, “It was a well-planned conspiracy to destabilise the region.” He likened the incident to attacks in Naxal-affected and militancy-hit regions, raising alarms over political leaders’ safety in Punjab.
Punjab cabinet minister Mohinder Bhagat and AAP leader Pawan Kumar Tinu visited Kalia’s residence following the incident. Bhagat said the attack was the work of “miscreants who couldn’t tolerate the state’s development,” while Tinu emphasised that the act was meant “to disturb peace and harmony in Punjab.”
Both leaders assured the public that the state government would ensure peace is restored and those responsible brought to justice.
Meanwhile, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, citing what he called “rising lawlessness” in the state.
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