Congress MP from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has written a demi-official letter to Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah, seeming inquiry by National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the series of grenade and IED blasts which have taken place in recent days in Punjab.
Stating that an urgent intervention was required in recent bomb blasts in Punjab’s border districts, Randhawa in his letter dated December 19 has pointed out that the recent series of bomb blasts in Punjab’s border districts have raised significant security concerns among the border residents.
“Notably, on December 12, 2024, an explosion occurred at the Ghanian-Ke-Bangar police station in Batala police district, shattering windowpanes and causing substantial financial loss. The Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has claimed responsibility for this incident through a social media post, warning further attacks on police establishments,” said Randhawa.
The MP stated that given the gravity of these incidents and their implications on national security, it is imperative that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) takes over the investigation.
The NIA, established under the National Investigation Agency Act of 2008, serves as India’s central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency. It is empowered to investigate and prosecute offenses affecting the sovereignty, security, and integrity of India.
“The NIA’s mandate includes investigating offenses under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and other acts related to terrorism and national security. Their expertise and resources are crucial for a thorough investigation into these bomb blasts, ensuring that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice, thereby safeguarding the National security,” wrote Randhawa.
The MP told the Home Minister that it is recommended that the Ministry of Home Affairs issues a directive to the NIA to take over the investigation of these recent bomb blasts in Punjab’s border districts. “This intervention will facilitate a coordinated and comprehensive approach to addressing the security threats posed by these incidents. The proactive involvement of the NIA is essential to effectively investigate and counter the threats arising from the recent bomb blasts in Punjab. Their intervention will reinforce our commitment to maintaining national security and upholding the rule of law which seems to have collapsed in Punjab,” said Randhawa in his letter.
A series of grenade attacks on police stations have rocked Punjab in recent weeks. As many as seven grenade and IED attacks on police establishments have taken place in the state.
While the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has taken responsibility of some if these attacks, Punjab Police officials have said that gangsters based abroad have conducted these attacks on the best of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI.
The Police have also claimed to have busted a module of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and arrested individuals who were responsible for carrying out a grenade attack on a police post in Nawanshahar district.
Senior Police officials have also asserted that there is no ideological mooring of people who are carrying out these attacks and that these are being done by gangsters using juveniles, petty criminals and drug addicts giving them the lure of cash and offer to settle them abroad.
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