Amritsar Temple Attack: One of the accused in the Amritsar Thakurdwara Temple grenade attack has been killed in a police encounter, while the second suspect remains on the run. Punjab Police confirmed the incident on Monday.
The deceased has been identified as Gursidak, son of Jagjit Singh and a resident of Bal village, Amritsar. The second accused, Vishal, son of Raju and a resident of Rajasansi, Amritsar, managed to flee the scene.
Encounter in Amritsar: How It Happened
Punjab Police acted on specific intelligence regarding the movement of the two accused in the Rajasansi area of Amritsar district. As a police team attempted to apprehend the suspects, the accused, who were traveling on a motorcycle, abandoned their vehicle and opened fire at the officers.
During the exchange of gunfire:
- Head Constable Gurpreet Singh sustained injuries.
- Inspector Amolak Singh narrowly escaped as a bullet struck his turban.
- Inspector Vinod Kumar fired in self-defense, injuring Gursidak, while Vishal managed to escape.
The injured constables and the accused were rushed to Civil Hospital, where Gursidak succumbed to his injuries. An FIR is being registered at PS Airport regarding the incident.
Thakurdwara Temple Grenade Attack: What Happened?
On the night of March 14, a grenade attack was carried out at the Thakurdwara Temple in Khandwala, Amritsar. CCTV footage captured two masked men on a motorcycle lobbing an object—believed to be an explosive—towards the temple after midnight.
- No injuries were reported, but police and forensic teams reached the site and collected evidence.
- Eyewitnesses stated that the two suspects were seen throwing a suspicious object before fleeing the scene.
Political Reactions to Amritsar Attack
Following the Thakurdwara Temple explosion, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), calling it a “terrible law and order situation” in Punjab.
This attack follows another violent incident at the Golden Temple, where an assailant injured at least five people with an iron rod at Shri Guru Ramdas Sarai, a lodging facility for pilgrims.