Punjab BJP headquarters blast in Chandigarh prompts NIA visit as police assess crude device

A blast outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh sparked panic on Wednesday, with no casualties reported. Police said the object thrown may have been a crude device. The National Investigation Agency visited the site as an unverified video and a social media post, claiming responsibility as a reprisal, circulated online.

A blast near the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh on Wednesday caused panic, while police began a probe. No casualties were reported. Police suspected a crude device was thrown outside the office. A team from the National Investigation Agency visited the spot. The explosion was reported at around 5 pm, according to police.

Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur said, "Prima facie, it appears that a small crude-type device was thrown.\" Kanwardeep Kaur said the blast near the Punjab BJP office was reported at around 5 pm. Kanwardeep Kaur said crime branch and the operation cell reached the site. Kanwardeep Kaur said a team from the Central Forensic Laboratory was rushed.

Punjab BJP headquarters blast: damage and immediate response

The BJP’s state media cell head, Vineet Joshi, said staff heard the sound and called police. Joshi said panic followed the blast. Joshi said a scooter was damaged and a car’s windowpanes broke. Joshi added, \"Splinter marks are visible on the wall,\" describing damage seen near the office area.

Police said CCTV footage from nearby locations was being checked to trace the throwers. The Punjab BJP headquarters is in Sector 37. The area also has Law Bhavan and a petrol pump. The office often hosts press conferences. It also remains a busy site for party work and meetings.

Punjab BJP headquarters blast: video and social media claim

An unverified video appeared on social media after the incident. It showed a person holding a helmet and pulling a grenade pin. The person then threw the object while another recorded it. Both ran away and a blast sound followed. The faces were not visible in the 10-second clip. Police had not confirmed the video.

In a separate social media post, a person named Sukhjinder Singh Babbar claimed responsibility for the attack. \"We want to tell the Indian system that it can use any means to eliminate Sikh youths of Punjab; they will give a befitting reply to it. Killers of Ranjit Singh in Gurdaspur will also not be spared,\" the post purportedly read.

Ranjit was one of three accused in a murder case involving two policemen. The killings were reported on February 22. Ranjit was later shot dead in a police encounter. Police continued to examine the blast and the online claims. The BJP’s state unit chief Sunil Jakhar called it an attack at the party office.

Punjab BJP headquarters blast: political reactions and security concerns

Reacting to the incident, Jakhar said, \"First, there were continuous grenade attacks on police stations in Punjab; then recently, a statue of Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar was vandalised in Hoshiarpur; and today, the BJP state-level office in Chandigarh was attacked.\" Jakhar said the incidents suggested attempts to disturb communal harmony.

Jakhar criticised the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and blamed it for not controlling crime. Jakhar said Punjab’s law and order issues were affecting Chandigarh as well. Jakhar added, \"No matter how much separatist forces try, they will not be able to break the communal unity of Punjab.\" The comments were shared in a post on X.

Amarinder Singh, BJP leader and former Punjab chief minister, said the blast left Amarinder Singh shocked and concerned. \"I urge the concerned authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation and ensure strict action against those responsible,\" Amarinder Singh said. Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia also sought a thorough investigation into the incident.

Majithia said on X, \"It is shocking to hear about the blast outside the @BJP4Punjab office in Chandigarh, raising serious questions over the law and order situation.\" Majithia added, \"Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur must clarify and confirm the authenticity of this video,\" pointing to the clip shared online after the blast.

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said the report was worrying, and noted no one was hurt. Bajwa said, \"Thankfully, no one was hurt. This incident raises serious concerns, and its high time that both Bharatiya Janata Party and Aam Aadmi Party ensured that security is not compromised in Chandigarh and across Punjab. Public safety must remain the top priority,\" the leader of the Opposition said.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring condemned the blast and called it serious. Warring said the incident showed failure of security and intelligence, and the Union Home Ministry. Warring said Chandigarh houses two governors and two chief ministers with heavy security. Warring said if the capital was unsafe, the rest of Punjab could be worse.

BJP leader R P Singh said it was serious that a senior party functionary had just left for Delhi. Vineet Joshi said Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma stayed at the office for four days. Joshi said Ashwani Sharma left for Delhi at 6 am on Wednesday. Joshi asked, \"How did the blast take place? Only police can provide details,\" while speaking to reporters.

R P Singh referred to a recent warning issued to the functionary. R P Singh said, \"Just 15 days ago, he was cautioned by the SSP of Pathankot to suspend his morning walks due to a specific threat perception.\" R P Singh added, \"Whether there is any link between that warning and todays blast is a matter for investigation, but the coincidence cannot be ignored,\" in the post on X.

R P Singh said the blast raised questions about security, intelligence coordination, and law and order in Punjab. R P Singh said, \"Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice at the earliest. There can be zero tolerance for such acts of terror,\" urging quick action. Police continued to investigate the blast, assess damage, and verify online material linked to the case.

With inputs from PTI