Amritsar temple attack: Police probe ISI role

The North News

Chandigarh/Amritsar, March 15

Two unidentified assailants hurled an explosive device at Thakur Dwara Temple in Amritsar’s Khandwala area in the early hours of Saturday. The attack, which took place at 12:45 am, caused no injuries, police said. The CCTV footage shows two masked men on a motorcycle arriving outside the temple before one of them threw the explosive device and fled the scene. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said investigators had obtained a key lead from the footage and expected a breakthrough soon. He accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, of orchestrating such attacks to disturb the peace.

“After receiving a call from the temple priest, my team and I rushed to the spot,” Bhullar said. “Forensic experts have collected samples for examination.”

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sought to reassure residents, stating that authorities were committed to maintaining peace. He also highlighted police efforts to curb cross-border drone activity, which he linked to smuggling operations.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu condemned the attack and criticised the AAP-led state government. “Repeated blasts in the border city are alarming. The deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab is a serious concern,” he said.