Blast near police post in Patiala, cops say not grenade attack

The police have launched an investigation following an explosion near the Badshahpur police post here today. The explosion, which was heard over a considerable distance, shattered windowpanes in the adjoining cooperative society building.

The police are probing the incident, but maintain it “was not a grenade attack”. They have yet to ascertain whether it was a targeted attack on the police post.

According to villagers, the explosion-like sound was heard around 2 am today, which prompted the police to rush to the spot.

Though there were no casualties or injuries, villagers claim they were jolted awake by the sudden explosion.

“We have called in experts and are inspecting the area to collect evidence... There is no evidence yet linking the explosion to a grenade attack as no residue has been found,” said SSP Nanak Singh.

Senior police officials, however, said they had some clues about the “movement of some suspects in the area around that time".

This is the first such incident in Patiala as all earlier blasts were reported in the Majha belt.