Photo Credit: PTI
A deadly explosion in Amritsar has triggered fresh security concerns and an all-out political slugfest in Punjab. The blast, which killed a 23-year-old man near Naushera village on the Majitha Road bypass on May 27, is now being probed as a terror-linked incident, with investigators suspecting the hand of the banned Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).
According to preliminary findings, the deceased, identified as Nitin Kumar, may have been acting on instructions from handlers across the border when the explosive he was allegedly trying to retrieve detonated. The Punjab Police believe Kumar was being remotely guided, possibly through a borrowed mobile phone, in an operation reminiscent of previous attempts to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in public spaces.
Investigators have ruled out a grenade explosion, citing the absence of metal shrapnel. Forensic teams continue to comb the area, while digital experts are analyzing communication patterns in a bid to trace Kumar’s links and recover potential evidence from any third-party devices.
As the terror angle gains traction, political tempers have flared. The opposition has seized upon the incident to target the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government over what they describe as glaring lapses in law and order. The BJP accused the state of ignoring intelligence inputs and letting down public safety in a border-sensitive region. “The security fabric in Punjab is tearing apart under AAP’s watch,” remarked a senior BJP leader, pointing to the growing frequency of drone drops, smuggling, and now suspected terror activities.
Congress leaders, too, joined the chorus, demanding that the state government take full responsibility for the deteriorating situation. Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh labeled the incident a “grave failure” and urged for immediate coordination with central intelligence agencies to curb cross-border infiltration.
AAP, on its part, has urged restraint and assured that a high-level investigation is underway. Punjab Police maintain that efforts are being intensified across the border zones, especially in areas vulnerable to radicalization or foreign influence. Surveillance has been stepped up, checkpoints fortified, and coordination with national agencies enhanced.
Meanwhile, residents in the region remain anxious. The explosion has revived painful memories of past violence in Punjab, even as authorities appeal for calm and vigilance.
What was initially dismissed as a freak explosion has quickly evolved into a high-stakes terror investigation — one that is not only testing Punjab’s security preparedness but also reshaping its political landscape in real time.
