Two minor blasts within 30 hours near Golden Temple, probe launched
Both the blasts took place on the heritage street – a 800-metre walkway from the Town Hall to the Darbar Sahib. Inaugurated in 2016, it is a no-vehicle zone, and sees heavy footfall, largely devotees and tourists.
Later in the evening, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) also visited the blast site. (express photo)
A LOW-INTENSITY blast took place on the Heritage Street near the Golden Temple around 6 am Monday – the second such explosion in less than 30 hours – prompting police to step up security in the area and launch a probe.
One person was injured in the blast and a car windshield was shattered due to the impact, the police said.
The blast took place near the boundary wall of a parking area, opposite the sweet shop near which a similar explosion took place Saturday night. The police, which has filed two separate FIRs in connection with the blasts, cordoned off the area and scanned it for any possible hidden explosive.
Later in the evening, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) also visited the blast site.
Earlier, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the police were probing all angles. “According to preliminary investigation, these were low-intensity blasts. We are conducting a scientific investigation. Our forensic team is at the spot. We have not recovered a detonator or triggering mechanism from the spot. This indicates that the explosives used for the blasts were kept inside a container,” he said after a visit to the blast site.
Sources in the police said they suspect the explosive material was kept in an energy drink can. It was not immediately clear how it went off. “The absence of a triggering mechanism means a crude device (was used). It is too early to say if it is mischief or if there is a terror angle…. We will not rule out any angle. We will investigate all angles,” the DGP said.
“We will also investigate the significance of the timing of the blast. We will examine if someone procured a locally available material to give a wrong impression about the law and order situation in Punjab,” he said, possibly referring to allegations against the government in the run-up to the May 10 Jalandhar bypoll.
Samples from the blast sites have been sent for forensic tests, he said. “I appeal to the public not to get swayed by rumours…. We will investigate CCTV footage and also question people who were at the spot at the time of the blast. Both the blasts caused minor injuries to one person each,” the DGP said.
After the first blast, responding to Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who connected it with the law and order situation in the state, ruling AAP spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang had claimed that it was not a terror attack.
Both the blasts took place on the heritage street – a 800-metre walkway from the Town Hall to the Darbar Sahib. Inaugurated in 2016, it is a no-vehicle zone, and sees heavy footfall, largely devotees and tourists.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the state government and police should thoroughly investigate the matter and bring out the truth so that the devotees be able to express devotion without fear.
He said the two explosions within two days have caused fear among devotees, which the government should clear soon. He said the SGPC is ready to provide any support to the government and police administration if required.
Our forensic team is at the spot. We have not recovered a detonator or triggering mechanism from the spot. This indicates that the explosives used for the blasts were kept inside a container,” he said after a visit to the blast site.
Sources in the police said they suspect the explosive material was kept in an energy drink can. It was not immediately clear how it went off.
“The absence of a triggering mechanism means a crude device (was used). It is too early to say if it is mischief or if there is a terror angle…. We will not rule out any angle. We will investigate all angles,” the DGP said.
“We will also investigate the significance of the timing of the blast. We will examine if someone procured a locally available material to give a wrong impression about the law and order situation in Punjab,” he said, possibly referring to allegations against the government in the run-up to the May 10 Jalandhar bypoll. Samples from the blast sites have been sent for forensic tests, he said. “I appeal to the public not to get swayed by rumours…. We will investigate CCTV footage and also question people who were at the spot at the time of the blast. Both the blasts caused minor injuries to one person each,” the DGP said.
After the first blast, responding to Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who connected it with the law and order situation in the state, ruling AAP spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang had claimed that it was not a terror attack.
Both the blasts took place on the heritage street – a 800-metre walkway from the Town Hall to the Darbar Sahib. Inaugurated in 2016, it is a no-vehicle zone, and sees heavy footfall, largely devotees and tourists.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the state government and police should thoroughly investigate the matter and bring out the truth so that the devotees be able to express devotion without fear.
He said the two explosions within two days have caused fear among devotees, which the government should clear soon. He said the SGPC is ready to provide any support to the government and police administration if required.
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