On Sunday morning, three people were killed and around 20 injured in a grenade attack at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar. The blast happened in Adliwal village of Amritsar, just eight kilometres from the Amritsar airport, at a gathering of the Nirankari which is a spiritual organisation, reports by Deputy Commissioner, Kamaldeep Singh Sangha.
Amritsar grenade attack
Every Sunday, hundreds of Nirankari Followers gather at Adliwal village for prayers and kirtan. At the time of attack, about 250 people were inside the hall. According to the reports there were two men who attacked the hall, they also threatened devotees with a gun before throwing the explosive grenade into the prayer hall.
Punjab Director General of Police, Suresh Arora told the news agency “It appears to have a terror angle. Because it is against a group and it is not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it as that”
Senior Officer, Surinderpal Singh Parmar said out of 250 people who were present in the religious gathering, three were dead and 15-20 were injured. The injured are taken to hospital for further treatment and the dead bodies of the victims are sent for the autopsy.
He said “As per initial reports, two people had come over here who lobbed a grenade here,” he further added The injured have been admitted in Guru Nanak Dev Hospital and Ivy Hospital in Amritsar, police said, adding that they are investigating the blast.
According to the witnesses, the Nirankari devotees were sitting in the gathering when two men on the bike with their faces covered arrived at the hall and threw a grenade at them.
Rajesh, who was present at the gathering, said that the two attackers also had a rifle and arrived at the Nirankari Dera on a gunpoint.
Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress President, conveyed his grief to the families of those who died. “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 said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also assured to take strict possible action for this shameful act of violence.
Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab said and assured that the state won’t let the “forces of terror” to abolish the hard earned peace and harmony. He has also announced free treatment for the injured and Rs. 5 lakh for the victims of the Amritsar blast.
He also on twitter said “Strongly condemn the bomb blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar. Have asked Home Secy and @PunjabPoliceInd DGP, DGP Intelligence and DGP Law & Order to rush to the spot to investigate”.
In his further tweet he said, ”I appeal to the people of Punjab to maintain peace in wake of Amritsar bomb blast. I urge them not to panic and to remain calm. We will not let the forces of terror destroy our hard earned peace.”
