Chandigarh, April 8 — Punjab Police arrested two individuals within 12 hours of a grenade attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence in Jalandhar, identifying a Pakistan-based ISI-backed terror module as the mastermind, officials said Tuesday.
Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla confirmed the arrests and said the case was part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize communal peace in Punjab.
“This act was planned by Zeeshan Akhtar, an associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and ISI-sponsored Shahzad Bhatti, with possible links to Babbar Khalsa International’s Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and gangster Happy Passia,” Shukla stated.
The explosion occurred late Monday night at Kalia’s house in Central Town, Jalandhar. Police teams from the Jalandhar Commissionerate rushed to the scene, and forensic experts collected samples and evidence.
“An E-rickshaw used by the accused has also been recovered,” Shukla added during a press conference held with IGP Headquarters Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill.
Commissioner of Police Jalandhar, Dhanpreet Kaur, said central intelligence agencies have been involved in the probe. “We’re working to expose the entire network behind the plot. All conspirators will face strict action,” she said.
FIR No. 27 dated April 8, 2025, has been registered at Police Station Division No. 3, Jalandhar under sections 109, 324(3), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act.
The operation aligns with the ongoing drive to secure Punjab under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
