Another explosion in Punjab, 7th in 25 days

A blast took place on Wednesday night outside the Bakshiwal police chowki in the district, the police said on Thursday. In a post on social media, the Khalistan Zindabad Force has claimed the responsibility.

The police said a team of forensic experts reached the spot to investigate the incident. Kalanaur DSP Gurvinder Singh Chandi said, “We have launched an investigation. Once the forensic team gives its report, it will be clear what exactly happened.”

Despite seven blasts near as many police stations in the last 25 days, a senior officer claimed there was no intelligence failure. The Bakshiwal chowki was closed 15 days ago and there was no security around it.

DSP Chandi was among the first to reach the site. As happened in earlier incidents, the police initially denied that an attack had taken place, but later when evidence emerged, they admitted that “there was a high-decibel explosion”.

There was some sign of a burnt patch outside the chowki, said the police, adding that nobody had heard the sound of any blast. Sources said an auto-rickshaw had been impounded on suspicion. Investigators believe that a hand grenade was hurled by miscreants while travelling in the auto-rickshaw.

The social media post read, “The KZF takes responsibility. The explosion was carried out under the leadership of Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh Jammu and Bhai Jaswinder Singh Baghi, alias Monu Agwan.”