Twin blasts in Jalandhar, Amritsar trigger security scare across Punjab

Punjab was put on high alert after two explosions rocked the state within hours of each other on Tuesday night, with incidents reported in Jalandhar and Amritsar around 90 kilometres apart.

The first blast occurred outside the Border Security Force’s Punjab Frontier headquarters at BSF Chowk in Jalandhar, while a second explosion-like incident was reported later near the Army cantonment along Khasa Road in Amritsar.

Blast outside BSF headquarters in Jalandhar

The Jalandhar explosion took place in a two-wheeler parked on the roadside near the BSF headquarters.

The force of the blast left the vehicle mangled, with debris scattered across the area. Security personnel immediately cordoned off the site as senior police officials reached for inspection.

Jalandhar Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur Randhawa said preliminary findings did not indicate foul play, though a detailed investigation is underway.

A social media post attributed to the Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA) claimed responsibility, describing the blast as retaliation for the recent encounter killing of the main accused in the murder of two security personnel near Gurdaspur’s Dorangla sector.

Authorities have not verified the authenticity of the claim.

Police said BSF teams are working with forensic experts to determine the exact cause of the blast, while the owner of the two-wheeler is being questioned.

Explosion reported near Amritsar cantonment

Hours later, another blast-like sound was reported near the boundary wall of the Army cantonment on Khasa Road in Amritsar.

The impact damaged a tin sheet attached to the wall, reportedly installed to block visibility from outside.

Amritsar Rural SSP Sohail Qasim Mir said police received reports of a loud noise around 11:15 pm and immediately rushed teams to the spot.

Officials found a section of the sheet had been struck and knocked down. Preliminary assessment suggests an object may have been hurled at the wall.

No injuries or major structural damage were reported.

Quick response teams, bomb disposal squads and forensic experts collected material from the site for analysis.

A joint search operation involving the Army and BSF has been launched, while police restricted movement in parts of the area on Wednesday.

Political reactions intensify

The incidents triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition leaders questioning the state government’s handling of security.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called the back-to-back blasts “deeply alarming” and questioned whether there had been a breakdown in intelligence and law enforcement.

Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said the incident raised serious concerns for national security, particularly given Amritsar’s strategic border location and importance as a tourist hub.

He accused the Bhagwant Mann government of failing to ensure public safety and urged Union Home Minister intervention.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikramjit Singh Majithia also demanded immediate action, reportedly calling for intervention from the President of India.

Security agencies are continuing investigations into both incidents to determine whether the blasts were linked or part of coordinated attempts to disturb peace in the border state.