NIA arrests key accused in Amritsar temple grenade attack case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested the key accused in the March 2025 grenade attack on a temple in Amritsar.

The accused, identified as Sharanjit Kumar alias Sunny, a resident of Bhaini Bangar village in Qadian, Batala, Gurdaspur district, Punjab, was apprehended on Friday from Gaya, Bihar.

According to investigators, Sharanjit played an active role in both the conspiracy and execution of the attack, which occurred in the early hours of March 15.

The assault was carried out by two bike-borne assailants, Gursidak Singh and Vishal Gill, acting under instructions from foreign-based handlers.

According to an officer, NIA’s probe revealed a wider conspiracy involving operatives with a transnational presence in the United States, Europe, and Canada.

“These handlers allegedly provided funds, weapons, logistical support, and details of the intended targets,” the officer said.

Investigations further showed that Gursidak and Vishal were involved in procuring and transporting multiple consignments of arms, ammunition, and grenades.

On March 1, Sharanjit reportedly received a consignment of four grenades in Batala from another arrested accused. Two days before the attack, he allegedly handed one of the grenades to Gursidak and Vishal.

After NIA teams searched Batala last month, Sharanjit went absconding. He was eventually traced to Gaya through extensive human and technical intelligence inputs, the officer said, adding that the case remains under investigation.