3 min readAmritsarMay 8, 2023 12:50 PM IST
First published on: May 8, 2023 at 09:58 AM IST
Another minor blast – the second within 30 hours- was reported on a heritage street near Golden Temple in Amritsar around 6 am Monday. No casualties were reported but a person was injured and a car windshield was broken, said the police.
The first blast took place near the Bansal sweet shop. The second blast occurred near the same spot but on the opposite side. The police have cordoned off the area and began an investigation. They started scanning the area for any hidden explosives.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav reached the blast spot and said that police were probing all angles, including the significance of the timing of the blast.
He said, “According to preliminary investigation, these were low-intensity blasts on the heritage street. We have been conducting a scientific investigation. Our forensic team is on the spot. We have not received a detonator or triggering mechanism from the spot. This indicates that the explosives used for the blast were kept inside a container.”
“The absence of a triggering mechanism means a crude kind of device (was used). It is too early to say if it is mischief or if there is a terror angle, an organised attempt by some module or some personal angle. We will not rule out any angle. We will deeply investigate all angles. 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,” said the DGP.
Sources connected his statement on the significance of the timing of the blast with the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat bypoll, slated for May 10.
He said the Punjab Police are capable of managing peace and harmony. “Transportation and everything here are normal. I appeal to the public not to get swayed by rumours. We do fact-check on social media channels to avoid such rumours. We will investigate CCTV footage and also question people on the spot at the time of blast to investigate further. Both the blasts caused minor injuries to one person each,” the DGP said.
“My motive is to come here to give the message that Punjab Police is here to keep the state secure and safe. And the second is that there is no need to panic. We will work out this case like earlier cases,” added the DGP.
The first blast was reported on Saturday night in which one person suffered minor injuries and the glass facades of some buildings were damaged. The police conducted a forensic probe of the first blast.
After the incident, the bomb disposal team of the Amritsar police and the forensic department also reached the spot. (Express) 
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