Amritsar: Three people were killed and at least 15 injured in a grenade attack on a congregation of the Nirankari sect in Amritsar.
The grenade was lobbed by two bike-borne men at 11:30am at a religious congregation of 'Nirankaris' which was being held at Rajasansi village, according to eyewitness accounts.
According to witnesses, the bike-borne men wore masks and forced a guard at gunpoint to open the main gate. They were reportedly chased for some distance by locals after the attack. “Everything happened within a couple of minutes. They got in, threw the grenade and fled," one man told the police.
“Out of 250 people who were present in the religious congregation, three are dead and 15-20 injured. As per initial reports, two people lobbed a grenade here,” IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar said.
Police have launched an investigation and are studying footage from CCTV cameras in the area.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh met top security officials in Chandigarh shortly after the attack and is likely to visit the blast site later in the day.
He has directed the Home Secretary, state police chief; D-G Law & Order and D-G Intelligence to rush to Rajasansi to supervise the investigation.
The CM also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of those dead and ordered free medical treatment for those injured.
“I strongly condemn the bomb blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar. I have asked Home Secretary and Punjab Police DGP, DGP Intelligence and DGP Law & Order to rush to the spot to investigate. My heart goes out to victims of the Amritsar bomb blast and their families. My government will give Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each of the dead and free treatment to the injured. Have asked district administration to extend all help,” the CM said.
The CM also urged calm and asked people not to panic.
I appeal to the people of Punjab to maintain peace in wake of Amritsar bomb blast. I urge them not to panic and to remain calm. We will not let the forces of terror destroy our hard earned peace.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at all Nirankari Bhawans.
Punjab was on alert following an input claiming that a group of six to seven JeM terrorists were reportedly in the state, possibly in Ferozepur area.
The state was put on alert after four persons snatched a SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.
The ruling Congress termed Sunday's attack as an attempt to disturb peace in the state. “My condolences are with families of those who lost lives in this incident. It is an attempt to disturb peace in Punjab. I believe all the security agencies should stay alert and coordinate with each other to maintain peace,” ANI quoted Punjab Congress Chief Sunil Jakhar as saying.