A blast was reported outside the residence of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia in Punjab's Jalandhar district, causing panic in the are, as per the reports.
Citing police officials, ANI reported that they are monitoring CCTV and investigating whether it was a grenade attack or something else. A police team and forensic team are present at the spot. Investigation is underway.
What Did The Police Say?
Talking with media, Dhanpreet Kaur, Jalandhar Police Commissioner, said, "Around 1 am, we got information of a blast here, after which we reached the spot and started the investigation. The forensic team is investigating the matter... We are also monitoring the CCTV... The forensic team is investigating whether it is a grenade attack or something else..."
What Did The BJP Leader Say?
BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia told ANI that he heard the sound of thunder.
"There was a blast at around 1 am... I was sleeping, and I thought that it was the sound of thunder... Later I was informed that a blast had taken place... After this, I sent my gunman to the police station... CCTV is being investigated; forensic experts are also present here...," he said.
Opposition Seeks CM Mann's Resignation
Meanwhile, the opposition parties took on the AAP government over the alleged deteriorating law and order in the state and asked Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who holds the home portfolio, to resign on moral grounds.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and Pathankot MLA Ashwani Sharma visited Kalia's residence.
Bittu alleged that it appeared to be a "well-planned conspiracy" against a senior and Hindu leader.
"It was an attack on Kalia's house. They (miscreants) threw a grenade at his residence. We used to hear about such incidents in Naxal areas or in Srinagar. These are now happening in Punjab," said Bittu.
Opposition parties targeted the AAP government over the law and order situation following the blast at the residence of Kalia.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh sought the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
"The grenade attack on the residence of senior BJP leader and former minister Manoranjan Kalia is a chilling reminder of the complete collapse of law and order in Punjab under CM Bhagwant Mann's regime.
"This is not an isolated act of violence - it is part of a larger, dangerous conspiracy to destabilise Punjab, fuel communal unrest, and intimidate political voices. From RPG attacks on police intelligence HQs to grenade strikes on police stations, from sacrilege incidents at religious places to the shameful vandalism of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar's statues - Punjab is being pushed into the dark alleys of terror and anarchy," Chug posted on X.
There have been many incidents of explosions, targeting police posts in Amritsar and Gurdaspur in the past four to five months. Last month, a blast occurred outside a temple in Amritsar.
