In the early hours of March 15, 2025, a grenade attack targeted the Thakurdwara temple in Amritsar’s Khandwala area, marking a concerning escalation in the region’s security situation. This incident is the 13th grenade attack in Punjab over the past four months, but notably the first to target a religious site; previous attacks primarily focused on police establishments.

Details of the Attack

At approximately 12:35 am, two unidentified individuals arrived at the temple on a motorcycle. Surveillance footage captured them hurling a grenade at the temple premises before fleeing the scene. The explosion caused significant damage to the temple’s wall and shattered nearby windowpanes. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the temple priest, present at the time, escaped unharmed.

Immediate Investigation and Encounter

Following the attack, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police initiated a swift investigation. Their efforts led them to the Rajasansi area, where they confronted the suspects. During the encounter, one of the accused opened fire, injuring a head constable and striking another officer’s turban. In self-defense, the police retaliated, injuring the assailant, who was later declared dead at the Civil Hospital. The second suspect managed to escape, and a manhunt is currently underway to apprehend him.

Links to Babbar Khalsa International

The investigation unveiled connections between the attackers and the banned terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The Amritsar police arrested three individualsKarandeep Yadav (alias Karan Bhaiya), Mukesh Kumar, and Sajan Singhfrom Bihar as they attempted to flee to Nepal. These individuals are residents of the Khandwala area, the same vicinity where the temple attack occurred. Authorities are probing their involvement in the grenade attack, suspecting their association with BKI’s narco-terror module.

ISI’s Alleged Involvement

Authorities suspect the involvement of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in orchestrating such attacks. The ISI has been accused of supporting terrorist activities in Punjab, aiming to destabilize the region by targeting religious sites and security establishments. This incident underscores the evolving tactics of these terror modules, shifting their focus from police establishments to religious places to incite communal tensions

https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/pakistan-isi-punjab-grenade-attacks-amritsar-temple-13871667.html