New Delhi, Jan 23: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out coordinated searches at 10 locations across Punjab as part of its investigation into the grenade attack outside a temple in Amritsar last year, officials said.
The searches were conducted across three border districts Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur and led to the seizure of mobile phones, electronic devices and documents believed to be linked to the case.
The probe pertains to an explosion outside the Thakur Dwara Sanatan Temple in the Khandwala area on Sher Shah Road in Amritsar on the night of March 14, 2025, an incident that raised concerns over the presence of cross border terror networks in the region.
After taking over the investigation from the Punjab Police, the NIA identified two men involved in hurling the grenade. One of the accused, Vishal, has been arrested, while the second accused, Gursidak, is deceased.
Investigators said the attack was allegedly executed on the instructions of handlers based abroad, who supplied explosives and weapons with the intent of spreading fear and destabilising the region. The agency’s findings indicate that local operatives were recruited and funded as part of a larger terror conspiracy.
The explosives used in the attack were allegedly procured through Sharanjit Kumar of Qadian in Batala, who is accused of receiving consignments from foreign handlers. Sharanjit reportedly fled to Jharkhand and Bihar after the incident before being arrested by the NIA in September.
During subsequent searches, the agency recovered three hand grenades and a pistol concealed in Gurdaspur district, officials said.
The investigation is ongoing, with the NIA focusing on identifying and dismantling terror modules posing a threat to national security.