NEW DELHI: A powerful explosion struck the exterior of a temple in Amritsar, causing structural damage and shattering windowpanes, officials reported on Saturday (March 15, 2025).
While no injuries were recorded, the incident has triggered widespread alarm among residents of the Khandwala locality.
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CCTV footage of the attack reveals two unidentified individuals arriving at the Thakur Dwara temple on a motorcycle. After briefly pausing, one of them hurls an explosive device towards the temple before both swiftly escape the scene.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated that authorities were alerted around 2 a.m. by the temple priest. Senior officials, including Bhullar himself, promptly reached the site to assess the situation.
“Multiple police teams have been deployed to track down the perpetrators. They will be arrested soon,” Bhullar assured.
A forensic team has since gathered evidence from the site, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the motive behind the attack.
Notably, this incident comes amid a series of recent explosions targeting police outposts in Amritsar and Gurdaspur over the past four months.
Reacting to the attack, senior journalist Rohan Dua took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the handling of security in Punjab.
Each time this promotee officer was used by Congress or AAP in Punjab, Gurpreet Bhullar brought shame for state & India
I exposed this promotee policeman, not IPS, today Amritsar Commissoner how he brazenly declared Rs 154 crore assets !!
I am aghast at his incompetence,… pic.twitter.com/5pxPGK5gEu
— Rohan Dua (@rohanduaT02) March 15, 2025
Expressing outrage over Bhullar’s track record, Dua added, “His incompetence has endangered the safety of shrines and locals. When he was appointed Ludhiana Commissioner by Congress, a court blast occurred. Earlier, the Kapurthala sacrilege case had clear links to Pakistan. Now, the Amritsar Thakur Dwara temple blast on Holi night raises serious questions. Who in AAP or Congress is shielding this officer?”
The explosion has raised concerns over Punjab’s law and order situation, particularly regarding the security of religious sites. Authorities are expected to intensify surveillance and preventive measures in the wake of the attack.