The Punjab Police has apprehended the primary suspect involved in the grenade attack outside the house of former Punjab Minister and BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia in Jalandhar, according to the news agency ANI. The mastermind of the blast is identified as Zeeshan Akhtar, a close aide of the gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
ANI reported that the blast was the doing of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s intelligence agency, to disrupt the religious harmony in the state and that the attack was a “cross-border planned attack.”
Special DGP Arpit Shukla said that two people have been arrested in the blast case and said that the attack was done to disturb the communal harmony in the state.
Shukla said, “Last night at 1 pm, a hand grenade was hurled outside the house of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia in Jalandhar. Punjab police have cracked the case in 12 hours. Two people have been arrested in this case, and the auto-rickshaw which was used in this crime has also been confiscated.”
“It was a major incident to disturb communal harmony. As per the initial investigation, this was a major conspiracy of Pakistan’s ISI. Zeeshan Akhtar, who is a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was the mastermind of the case. Our teams are conducting raids at different locations so that the investigation in this case is finished as soon as possible. We are also in touch with the central agencies, and a big operation has been launched,” Shukla added.
He also said that Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) links in the case are being probed and that the case is under investigation and being probed scientifically.
How The Grenade Attack Unfolded?
During the early hours of Tuesday, a blast was reported outside the home of BJP leader Kalia in Jalandhar.
As per ANI, Dhanpreet Kaur, Jalandhar Police Commissioner said, “Around 1 am, we got information of a blast here, after which we reached the spot and started the investigation. The forensic team is investigating the matter.”
She added, “We are also monitoring the CCTV… The forensic team is investigating whether it is a grenade attack or something else.”
Furthermore, the BJP Leader has said that he was sleeping when the blast occurred outside his residence.
“There was a blast at around 1 am. I was sleeping, and I thought that it was the sound of thunder… Later, I was informed that a blast had taken place… after this, I sent my gunman to the police station… CCTV is being investigated; forensic experts are also present here,” Kalia said.
Political Reactions After Blast
After meeting Kalia Punjab Minister Mahendra Bhagat said that the AAP government is sincere, and also stated that the culprits will not be spared.
He said, “We came to meet Kalia ji and asked about his well-being and also information on the attack. We will bring the whole thing to the attention of the CM. Even the Police Commissioner reported the incident to the CM.”
He added, “Some people do not like the peace in Punjab, and that Punjab is developing. Some notorious people, probably sheltered in Pakistan, have always tried to create trouble in Punjab… We are very concerned and sincere, and the culprits will not be spared.”
#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: A blast was reported outside the residence of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia in Punjab’s Jalandhar
State BJP President Sunil Jakhar says, “CM Bhagwant Mann has deployed an intelligence team of Punjab Police at the Delhi Congress headquarters. He said in… pic.twitter.com/YiPzmWAqH2
— ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2025
The main accused, Akhtar, is also wanted in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique.
(with ANI inputs)
