Punjab on High Alert After Twin Explosions Near BSF, Army Areas

Chandigarh, May 6: Two suspected IED explosions rocked Punjab late Tuesday night—one near an army cantonment in Amritsar and another outside the Punjab Frontier headquarters of the Border Security Force in Jalandhar—triggering a high alert across the state, though no casualties were reported.

Police said investigations are underway into both incidents, which occurred within a span of about three hours. The first blast took place near PAP Chowk in Jalandhar around 8 pm, while the second occurred around 11 pm near the Khasa cantonment area in Amritsar.

Amritsar (Rural) SSP Suhail Mir Qasim said preliminary findings suggest an explosive device was hurled at a boundary wall, damaging tin-sheet structures. Forensic and bomb disposal teams collected samples, and the area was sealed after assessment by security forces, including army officials.

In Jalandhar, Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur said an Activa scooter parked near the BSF complex was damaged in the explosion, which also affected nearby property. CCTV footage reportedly shows a suspect placing an object near the vehicle before fleeing.

A banned outfit, Khalistan Liberation Army, has claimed responsibility for the Jalandhar blast, terming it part of an operation and issuing threats against a senior BSF officer. However, officials have not confirmed the claim and denied reports of any casualties.

Police have detained two persons, including the scooter owner, for questioning, while national security agencies have joined the probe to examine possible links and verify the authenticity of the terror claim.

The incidents come days after a blast at a freight rail track in Patiala district on April 27, heightening concerns over security. Authorities have intensified vigil across the state amid fears of coordinated attacks.

Opposition leaders, including Sukhbir Singh Badal and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government, alleging intelligence lapses and deterioration in law and order.