Jalandhar/Amritsar: Punjab has been placed on heightened alert after two late-night explosions near key defence-linked locations in Jalandhar and Amritsar triggered security concerns and prompted a multi-agency investigation.
The first incident occurred outside the Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar, where a parked scooter suddenly erupted in flames, accompanied by a loud explosion-like sound. Initially treated as a possible accidental fire, emerging findings suggest the involvement of an improvised explosive device (IED), though officials have not yet issued a final confirmation.
Eyewitnesses reported panic in the area as the vehicle burst into flames around the evening hours. CCTV visuals circulating online appear to show the two-wheeler exploding moments before being engulfed in fire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur stated that investigators are examining all angles and verifying whether the incident was accidental or deliberate. The scooter’s owner, identified as Gurpreet Singh, has been questioned and is said to be cooperating with authorities. According to preliminary statements, he claimed the vehicle caught fire unexpectedly.
Within a few hours, a second blast was reported near the Khassa Cantonment area on the outskirts of Amritsar. The explosion, heard late at night, led to an immediate response from police units and Army personnel stationed in the vicinity. Bomb disposal teams and forensic experts were deployed to secure and examine the site.
Officials confirmed that samples have been collected and sent for detailed forensic analysis to determine the nature of the explosion. While no casualties or damage have been reported in this incident either, the proximity to sensitive military zones has raised serious concerns.
Senior police officers indicated that investigators are working to establish whether the two incidents are linked and if they form part of a coordinated attempt. Intelligence agencies have also been roped in as part of the probe.
With both locations being strategically significant, security across the region has been tightened, and surveillance has been increased at key installations. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm but vigilant as investigations continue to uncover the full scope of the incidents.
