Amritsar blast latest updates: 3 killed in grenade attack on Nirankari Bhawan despite high-alert; Rajnath Singh assures 'strongest possible action'
At least three people have been killed and 10 others have been injured in a grenade blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village. According to eyewitnesses, the senior leader of the Nirankari sect, who was addressing the congregation, has received injuries and has been taken to hospital. The area was under red-alert following the intelligence inputs on terrorist activity in the region. (Here is what happened)
Punjab CM has announced ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of those killed in the attack and free treatment for those injured.
"Deeply anguished by death of innocent people in a grenade attack in Amritsar in Punjab today. It's a reprehensible act of violence. My condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this attack and prayers for speedy recovery of the injured," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said.
He further informed that he has been briefed by Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh and assured that the strongest possible action will be taken against the perpetrators of this crime.
IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar confirmed the attack and said it was a grenade attack on a congregation of 200 people, including women. He, however, denied any connection of the incident to terrorist Zakir Musa, who was reportedly spotted in the city last week.
"According to preliminary information, three people have been killed in the incident. Among the injured, three have received serious injuries, they have been sent to hospital for medical attention," Kamaljeet Sandha, DC Amritsar said.
On the question of security lapse despite high-alert, the DC said that the security has been heightened even further after the attack. "Alert was in place, but the unfortunate incident still took place. We have now increased the the security at the airport and at the Nirankari Bhawan centres across the city," he added.
"The security was tight on the stations and bus stands. But the attack still happened. I would wait for the official investigation inputs to confirm or deny further reports. It is possible that it is a terror attack, but confirmation will come after the investigation," Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh told India TV, adding that the attack was on India and not just Amritsar.
"It is clear that Pakistan is once again trying to instill terrorism in Pakistan, but Punjab is very strong and will not let terrorism take roots in the state," the Amritsar MP said.
Watch Video: Punjab will not let terror take roots again: Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh on grenade attack
India TV reporter on the ground has been informed that two youth entered the religious grounds on a bike and threw a grenade and sped out of the complex. Eyewitnesses say that the bike-borne youth were chased by people till a distance but they managed to escape. The two suspects were said to be masked and armed with a pistol. They forced their way into the sermon grounds by threatening the gate keeper with the pistol, sources on the ground said.
The Nirankari Bhawan has been sealed-off. Only higher officials and forensics team are present inside the premises. A massive search operation has been launched to nab the suspects. A SWAT team has been deployed for the search operation. State's border with Rajasthan has also been sealed. Following the incident, security has also been heightened at Nirankari Bhawan in Delhi's Burari area.
The terror attack is being seen as a major lapse on the part of Punjab Police as the state was on high-alert and high security should have been arranged for weekly Sunday sermons at various religious grounds across the state, especially in Amritsar as it borders Pakistan.
Amritsar blast: Nirankari Bhawan is located in Rajasansi village, close to Pakistan's border. The site of terror attack is barely 3 km from the international airport
Congress leader Sunil Kumar Jakhar confirmed that there were specific terror inputs for the region, but, he claimed that, the police and other security agencies are on alert and will take appropriate action. "My condolences are with families of those who lost lives in this incident. It is an attempt to disturb peace in Punjab. I believe all the security agencies should stay alert and coordinate with each other to maintain peace," he added.
SAD, BJP attack Congress government fro Amritsar attack
Meanwhile, Shrimoni Akali Dal MP from Delhi and spokesperson took to Twitter to slam Amrinder Singh government in Punjab: "Heartfelt condolences with families of people who lost their lives and are injured in today’s Amritsar #NirankariBhawan attack. I am shocked at the laxity of @capt_amarinder Ji’s govt! This is a complete failure of law & order in @INCPunjab rule #Amritsar," he said on social media.
Whenever Congress comes to power in country or any state, the national security comes under attack. Appeasement is intensified, making Congress-free India a need of the hour. May God grant peace to those killed (in the attack). #Amritsar #CongressIsCancer: tweeted Parvesh Sahib Singh, BJP MP from Delhi
Red alert in Amritsar
Punjab Police had on November 15 issued an intelligence note, saying at least six to seven terrorists belonging to banned Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have sneaked into state. Posters were also put up to help people identify Musa, the founder and chief of Al-Qaeda cell Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Intelligence inputs had said that Musa and his aides were planning to move towards New Delhi.
On November 16, high alert was sounded in Amritsar after reports of dreaded terrorist Zakir Musa being spotted in the city emerged. Security was heightened across the state after intelligence inputs revealed that Zakir Musa, a former Hizbul Mujahideen commander and slain terrorist Burhan Wani's successor, could be hiding in Punjab.
