Punjab: Police from three police districts are working on leads to solve petrol bomb attack case

Ludhiana Police suspects the involvement of local criminals, who may have received foreign support, in the petrol bomb blast at the residence of Shiv Sena (Hind) leader Harkirat Singh Khurana on Saturday.

The case involves police officers from three police districts – Ludhiana, Khanna and Ludhiana Rural. The investigation into the case is ongoing and further investigation may reveal links overseas, police said.

An email purportedly issued by a Pakistan-based terror group went viral on Sunday, claiming responsibility for two petrol bomb blasts on Shiv Sena leaders in Ludhiana. However, police said it was a “fake” and said they were yet to establish its authenticity.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP, City 3) Ramandeep Singh Bhullar said there was no confirmation of international involvement in the case.

“Further investigation may reveal links abroad, but at present there is no such evidence,” Bhullar said, adding that police had found some clues and were close to solving the case.

Three masked miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at Khurana’s house located in Model Town Action in Ludhiana in the wee hours of Saturday. The explosives hit the main gate, causing a small explosion. The incident was captured on CCTV, which Khurana reviewed after discovering the attack.

Khurana, who is the national president of the Sikh Sangat Shiv Sena (Hind) wing, has been under police protection and has been provided with a bulletproof vest in recent months.

He said that he had been receiving death threats for several months. Khurana said he received more calls and messages from international numbers threatening harm after the attack.

Ludhiana City Police have registered an FIR against unknown assailants under sections 125 (endangering life or personal safety), 285 (public danger or obstruction), 324 (causing mischief) and 3(5) (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) BNS.