16 in 7 months: Timeline of attacks on police, politicians and the terror nexus in Punjab
The Punjab Police have claimed they have important leads regarding the persons who carried out a grenade attack at the house of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia in Jalandhar past Monday midnight.
This is the 16th attack since September 2024 when the first incident was reported.
Police sources said some positive leads have been established and the perpetrators would be caught soon.
The grenades used in the incidents were mainly of Arges model, which seem to have been taken from Pakistan army’s dump of old explosives.
These explosives were also used in the Mumbai blasts and the Indian Parliament attack. Police have also found use of RDX in some incidents.
“These are desperate attempts by Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and a nexus of gangsters and terrorists. We have solved almost all the incidents, barring a few. The conspirators sitting abroad lure gullible youths with promises of a safe future abroad besides money and weapons,” a senior police official said.
Political parties, including the BJP and Congress have questioned the law and order situation in Punjab where criminals seemed to be striking at will.
Below is a list of grenade attacks in Punjab since September 2024
September 9, 2024
Sector 10, Chandigarh: A grenade was hurled at a house, allegedly orchestrated by US-based gangster Harpreet Singh (Happy Passia) and Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. Abhijot Singh (alias Babbi): Arrested for his involvement in the Sector 10, Chandigarh grenade attack. He played a key role in the conspiracy, including arranging a bike with a fake number plate for reconnaissance.
November 23, 2024
Ajnala Police Station :An Improvised Explosive Device weighing about 1.5 kg was planted.
November 29, 2024
Gurbaksh Nagar, Amritsar: An explosion occurred near abandoned police check post at 11 pm.
December 2, 2024
Ansaro Police Post, Nawanshahr: A grenade attack was reported, but the grenade did not detonate and was defused.
December 4, 2024
Majitha Police Station, Amritsar: A powerful grenade blast shattered windows at the police station.
December 13, 2024
Ghania Ke Bangar Police Station, Batala: A grenade was allegedly thrown near the entrance of the police station, but it did not explode.
December 17, 2024
Islamabad Police Station, Amritsar : A powerful explosion occurred near the police station at 3 AM, shaking nearby homes. BKI module and Gangster Jeevan Fauji were involved.
December 18, 2024
Bakshiwala Police Check Post, Kalanaur, Gurdaspur: Grenade blast
December 20, 2024
Wadala Bangar Police Check Post, Kalanaur, Gurdaspur: Grenade attack.
January 9, 2025
Grenade attack at Gumtala Police Chowki, Amritsar.
January 16, 2025
Grenade attack on liquor trader Amandeep Jaintipuria house.
February 3, 2025
Grenade hurled at Fatehgarh Churrian by-pass police chowki.
March 15, 2025
A temple in Amritsar: A grenade attack caused property damage but no injuries.
March 16, 2025
Raipur Rasoolpur village, Jalandhar : A grenade was hurled at YouTuber Rozer Sandhu.
April 2, 2025:
Badshahpur Police post, Patiala: Probe under way after blast outside police post in wee hours.
April 8, 2025
Residence of BJP Leader Manoranjan Kalia, Jalandhar: A grenade was thrown at the gate, causing damage but no injuries.
Details of explosives, modus-operandi and conspirators:
Austrian-made Arges grenades:
These grenades, historically used in high-profile attacks like the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, have resurfaced in Punjab. While Chinese-made grenades became more common in later years, Arges grenades have been intermittently recovered. The grenades used in recent blasts, including the Sector 10 Chandigarh attack, are suspected to be from Pakistan’s old army stock, according to Punjab Police.
Targeting of police chowkis and check posts:
Six functional police chowkis and two abandoned police posts (used for temporary barricades) have been targeted. These attacks aim to undermine law enforcement and create fear among the public.
ISI’s involvement:
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been identified as a key player in orchestrating these attacks, providing logistical and financial support to terror modules.
Role of terror organisations:
Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), led by Harvinder Singh Rinda, and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), headed by Ranjit Singh Neeta, are the primary conspirators. These groups aim to destabilise Punjab and further their extremist agendas.
Nexus with gangsters and smugglers:
These terror groups exploit the existing network of Punjab-based gangsters and drug smugglers to recruit and radicalise youth. This nexus has been instrumental in executing attacks.
Foreign-based operatives:
Individuals like Happy Passia, Happy Jat, Gopi Ghanshampuria, Jeewan Fauji, and Gurdev Jassal have been implicated in planning and supporting these attacks. Their involvement highlights the international dimensions of these terror networks.
Recent incidents linked to Chandigarh blast:
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has linked the Sector 10 Chandigarh grenade attack to the same terror modules responsible for attacks in Punjab. The accused, including Abhijot Singh and Rohan Masih, were reportedly directed by Happy Passia and Harvinder Singh Rinda.
Political targets:
The recent grenade attack on BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence in Jalandhar underscores the shift in targets, from police installations to political figures. This attack, carried out by unidentified assailants, caused property damage but no injuries.
Use of technology:
Investigations have revealed the use of encrypted communication and fake number plates for reconnaissance, indicating a high level of planning and coordination.
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