Man accused of carrying out grenade attack at Amritsar temple killed in police encounter
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The main suspect in the recent grenade attack on a temple in Amritsar was killed in a police encounter early on Monday after a brief shootout. The suspect, Gursidak Singh, was shot during a confrontation with Punjab Police and later died from his injuries at the hospital. His accomplice, Vishal, managed to escape.
Police received information about the suspects being in the Rajasansi area, so a team of officers from the CIA and Chheharta police was formed to arrest them. When the police tried to stop the two men on their motorcycle, they abandoned their bike and fired at the officers. Head Constable Gurpreet Singh was shot in the left arm, and Inspector Amolak Singh was also hit. A third bullet struck a police vehicle. In response, Inspector Vinod Kumar fired back and injured Gursidak. Both injured officers and Gursidak were rushed to the hospital, where Gursidak later died. His accomplice remains on the run, and police are working to find him.
This incident followed the grenade attack on the Thakurdwara temple in Amritsar's Khandwala area on March 15. CCTV footage showed two men on a motorcycle throwing an explosive device outside the temple around 12:35 am. The blast caused panic but no injuries.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Bhullar stated that initial investigations suggest a possible link to Pakistan. "Pakistan often engages in such acts," he said, adding that they are verifying the type of explosive used and working to find the motive behind the attack.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also commented, blaming "mischievous elements" trying to create unrest in the state. "There are continuous efforts to disturb Punjab, including drug smuggling. But the Punjab Police is proactive and well-prepared to maintain law and order," he said.
Regarding the possible cross-border link, Mann pointed to the frequent drone intrusions from Pakistan, calling it part of a larger effort to disrupt peace in Punjab. "They don't want Punjab to be at peace," he added.
