Twin Blasts Near High-Security Sites Jolt Punjab

New Delhi:Two low-intensity explosions near high-security installations in Punjab within a span of three hours on Tuesday night have triggered a multi-agency investigation and a political confrontation ahead of Assembly elections next year.

The first blast occurred around 8 pm near the Border Security Force headquarters in Jalandhar, followed by a second explosion around 11 pm near an Army cantonment in Khasa on the outskirts of Amritsar. No casualties were reported, but both incidents have raised security concerns.

Punjab Police, central agencies and the Army have begun a coordinated probe, with the National Investigation Agency and intelligence units also expected to join. Investigators are examining whether the two incidents are linked or separate attempts to test security preparedness.

Police said preliminary findings in the Jalandhar case suggest use of explosive material. The blast destroyed a scooter parked near the BSF complex, damaged nearby infrastructure and triggered a fire. CCTV footage is being analysed and several leads are under investigation.

In Amritsar, officials said an explosive device was thrown towards a boundary wall near the cantonment, causing minor structural damage. Forensic teams collected samples from both sites for analysis.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav described the Amritsar blast as “low intensity” and said the possibility of external involvement was being examined. He also said a claim of responsibility by the Khalistan Liberation Army in the Jalandhar case was being verified.

The incidents follow a recent explosion on a freight rail corridor in Patiala district, in which police arrested four alleged members of a pro-Khalistan module with suspected links to Pakistan-based handlers.

Opposition parties criticised the state government over law and order. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the incidents a sign of “continued intelligence failures”, while Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring called them “deeply alarming” and sought accountability.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described the blasts as “minor” and alleged a political conspiracy to create fear ahead of elections. The BJP rejected the claim, accusing the Chief Minister of politicising a security issue and calling for restraint until investigations are complete.