Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Investigators probing the explosion outside the Punjab unit office of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Chandigarh have uncovered fresh leads, with sources indicating that a Pakistan-manufactured grenade may have been used in the attack.
Preliminary findings suggest the explosive device was a GHD2P hand grenade, known for its high lethality. Experts note that such a device can cause severe damage within a radius of several meters, while metal fragments can travel much farther, posing danger to bystanders and property.
The blast, which occurred on Wednesday evening near the party’s Sector 37 office, damaged parked vehicles and left visible impact marks on nearby walls. Fortunately, no casualties were reported at the time, though the potential for harm was significant given the area’s regular footfall.
As part of the ongoing investigation, two additional video clips have surfaced. One reportedly shows two individuals loitering near an adjacent building shortly before the explosion. Another captures them fleeing the scene moments after the incident. Earlier footage had already shown a person hurling an object toward the premises, while another clip indicated two suspects escaping on a motorcycle.
Police officials had initially described the object as crude in nature, but forensic inputs are now pointing toward a more sophisticated explosive. Teams from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory are examining evidence collected from the site to confirm the exact nature of the device.
According to investigators, the grenade was thrown from a distance of roughly 30 feet, clearing a boundary wall and landing in an area commonly used for parking vehicles. The spot lies not far from the main entrance, where security personnel, including members of the Central Reserve Police Force, are routinely stationed.
Meanwhile, a social media claim by a Khalistani-linked group taking responsibility for the attack has also come under scrutiny, though officials have not verified its authenticity.
Despite the emergence of multiple leads, no arrests have been made so far. Authorities have intensified surveillance and are analysing footage to identify and track down the suspects involved.
Security has since been tightened across sensitive locations in Chandigarh, with officials emphasising that all angles—including cross-border links—are being thoroughly investigated.
