Chandigarh, Apr 3: Authorities have identified two suspects linked to the recent explosion outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh, with efforts underway to apprehend them, a senior police official confirmed on Friday.
The incident took place around 5 pm on Wednesday when an object believed to be a crude explosive device was thrown near the party office in Sector 37. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Following the blast, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Explosives Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Security agencies swiftly cordoned off the area, while a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted an on site inspection as part of the ongoing probe.
Investigators are also examining a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows one individual pulling the pin of a blue-coloured grenade before throwing it, while another person records the act. The two suspects are then seen fleeing moments before the explosion. However, officials stated that the authenticity of the footage has not yet been verified, and the suspects’ identities are not clearly visible.
CCTV footage from nearby locations has captured visuals of individuals running across the road shortly after the blast, which may aid in tracking them down.
In a separate development, an unverified social media post purportedly linked to Sukhjinder Singh Babbar of the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International claimed responsibility for the explosion. Authorities have not confirmed the claim so far.
Reacting to the incident, Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur earlier indicated that preliminary findings suggest the use of a small crude device. Political leaders across party lines have condemned the blast, terming it a serious security concern.
The investigation remains ongoing as security agencies continue efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.