16 grenade attacks rock state in 7 months
Punjab finds itself gripped by a chilling wave of grenade attacks, with 16 confirmed incidents in seven months since September 2024.
The state and its capital, Chandigarh, have become the epicentre of these violent acts, leaving residents in fear and the authorities scrambling for answers. Most of the attacks targeted police installations, including abandoned police posts of the terrorism era. But the attack on BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia, which was preceded by an attack at a temple in Amritsar earlier, suggests attempts to disturb communal harmony or polarise communities in the state. While some additional incidents have been reported, the police have denied their authenticity, adding to the uncertainty on the exact number of incidents. Nearly 30 youths have been arrested so far for the attacks.
The grenades used in these attacks are predominantly Austrian-made Arges models, infamous for their use in the 1993 Mumbai blasts and in the 2001 Parliament attack.
The Punjab Police suspect these explosives originate from Pakistan’s old army stockpile. In some cases, RDX has also been detected, further heightening concerns about the sophistication of these attacks.
A senior police official described the situation as “desperate attempts by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and a nexus of gangsters and terrorists”. He revealed that while most incidents had been solved, a few remain under investigation. The official highlighted the role of foreign-based conspirators who lure vulnerable youth with promises of money, weapons and a secure future abroad.
“We are fighting a direct battle with conspirators from Pakistan on this front. The Punjab Police have traced all cases barring two. We have prevented many incidents also which information does not come in public domain,” said a senior police official.
Investigations have uncovered a complex web of terror organisations, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), working in tandem with local gangsters and smugglers. Foreign operatives like Happy Passia and Harvinder Singh Rinda have been implicated, showcasing the international dimensions of these networks. The use of encrypted communication and fake number plates for reconnaissance points to meticulous planning and coordination.
(With inputs from Pawan Jaiswar, Avneet Kaur and Aman Sood)
Police establishments targeted
September 9, 2024: Sector 10, Chandigarh: Grenade hurled at a house, allegedly by US-based gangster Harpreet Singh (Happy Passia) and Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. Abhijot Singh, alias Babbi, arrested for involvement, including arranging a bike with a fake number plate for reconnaissance.
November 23, 2024: Ajnala police station: Improvised explosive device (IED), weighing about 1.5 kg, planted.
November 29, 2024: Gurbaksh Nagar, Amritsar: Explosion near abandoned police check-post at 11 pm.
December 2, 2024: Ansaro police post, Nawanshahr: Grenade attack reported; grenade did not detonate and was defused.
December 4, 2024: Majitha police station, Amritsar: Powerful grenade blast shattered windows at the police station.
December 13, 2024: Ghania Ke Bangar police station, Batala: Grenade thrown near the entrance of the police station; did not explode.
December 17, 2024: Islamabad police station, Amritsar: Powerful explosion near the police station at 3 am, shaking nearby homes. BKI module and gangster Jeevan Fauji 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: Gumtala police chowki, Amritsar: Grenade attack.
January 16, 2025: Liquor trader Amandeep Jaintipuria’s house: Grenade attack.
February 3, 2025: Fatehgarh Churrian bypass police chowki: Grenade hurled.
March 15, 2025: Temple in Amritsar: Grenade attack caused property damage but no injuries.
March 16, 2025: Raipur Rasoolpur village, Jalandhar: Grenade hurled at YouTuber Rozer Sandhu.
April 2, 2025: Badshahpur police post, Patiala: Loud sound and blast just outside the police post in the wee hours.
April 8, 2025: Residence of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia, Jalandhar: Grenade thrown at the gate, causing damage, but no injuries.
Punjab