Twin explosions rock Punjab near military sites, security alert raised as probe continues
Two explosions near military installations in India’s northern state of Punjab have triggered heightened security concerns, with authorities launching a full investigation into the incidents that occurred within hours of each other.
The first blast took place on Monday evening outside the Border Security Force complex in Jalandhar, where a parked scooter suddenly caught fire around 8 p.m.
The resulting explosion damaged nearby shops, a traffic signal, and tore the vehicle apart. A security camera captured the moment, showing smoke rising as a passerby ran for cover.
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur confirmed that the incident involved a scooter that caught fire near the gate of the complex. The individual seen in the footage reportedly witnessed the fire before alerting his family and is cooperating with investigators, according to news reports.
While some reports suggested that the Khalistan Liberation Army had claimed responsibility, authorities stressed that it remains too early to determine whether the explosion was accidental or a deliberate act, and all possible angles are being examined.
Hours later, a second explosion was reported in Amritsar near an army camp, where loud blasts were heard and fragments resembling metal sheets were found embedded in a boundary wall. Officials indicated that the damage suggested an explosive device may have been thrown toward the site, though investigations are ongoing.
Authorities have not yet established any direct link between the two incidents, but both have placed the border state on high alert amid fears of coordinated activity.
The situation comes just days after another suspected extremist incident in Punjab, where an attempted blast on a freight rail corridor in Patiala left one individual dead, with several arrests reportedly linked to a Pakistan-connected separatist network.
Political leaders have raised concerns over security lapses, with opposition figures warning of repeated intelligence failures and deteriorating law and order in the state.
The renewed tension has also revived memories of the violent separatist insurgency linked to the Khalistan movement in the 1980s and 1990s, which left a deep and lasting impact on Punjab’s security landscape.
