Grenade attack on Amritsartemple; Pak hand suspected

 

 

 

IN A “first attack” on a religious place in Punjab’s Amritsar city, close to the border with Pakistan, two assailants hurled an explosive at the Thakurdwara Temple complex, damaging its walls and shattering its window panes. Police are tracking the suspects and claim Pakistan’s involvement behind the attack. The CCTV footage showed the attackers arriving at the location on a bike with a flag mounted on it. After waiting for a few seconds, one of them threw a grenade, and both fled the spot. Police believe the attack was carried out as part of a planned strategy to trigger fear amid the Holi festivities.

 

The temple’s wall was damaged in the explosion. Fortunately, a priest and his family, who were residing on the upper floor of the temple, were unharmed. Lashing out at the BhagwantMann-led Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) Government, theShiromani Akali Dal sought judicial probe into the incident, whileBJP National General SecretaryTarun Chugh demanded a CBI investigation to expose the forcesattempting to disturb law andorder in Punjab. Expressing serious concernover the repeated grenade attacksin the region, Chugh said theAAPGovernment, led by CMBhagwant Mann, has completely failed to control inimical elements in the state. Akali Dal leader Daljit Cheemasaid the incident, which hurt thesentiments of the people, seemedto be part of a plan to disturbpeace and communal harmonyin Punjab. “This is the 13th such blast inthe area and is proof of the complete collapse of law and orderin the State,” he added.