Explosion in Ludhiana court: One killed, high alert in Punjab

- Accused killed in blast: CM Channy's claim

- Police suspect IED use in attack, NIA and NSG also launch probe into blast case

- Chief Minister Channy and Kejriwal allege that blasts were carried out to disrupt peace in Punjab before elections

Ludhiana: One person was killed and five others were injured in a bomb blast at the district court premises in Ludhiana. The second-floor bathroom on the court premises exploded. The blast was so powerful that one wall of the compound was severely damaged and several windows shattered and fell on parked vehicles below the compound. Chief Minister Charanjit Channy said that the initial investigation revealed that the man operating the bomb had died in the blast.

The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a courthouse. Police had earlier claimed that two people had been killed in the blast, but later said one person had been killed. Criticizing the blast, Chief Minister Charanjit Channy said that some anti-national elements had worked to disrupt peace in the state before the Assembly elections. Channy visited Ludhiana to review the situation. He visited the site of the blast and went to the hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man who operated the bomb had died in the blast.

"The area has been sealed off and forensic teams will collect samples from the blast site," said Ludhiana Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. Regarding the preliminary investigation, he said that it is very difficult to say anything at present, adding that the investigation is ongoing. However, police suspect IEDs were used in the attack. The probe into the blast in Ludhiana court has also been handed over to the NIA and NSG. Two NIA teams and one NSG team will investigate the case. Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he was saddened by the news of the death of two people in the blast. They pray that the injured will recover quickly. Punjab Police needs to get to the root of this incident. Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also expressed shock over the blast.

Meanwhile, AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed grief over the blast at a Ludhiana court. He said that first there was an incident of rudeness in Darbar Sahib, now there was an explosion in Ludhiana. Some people want to disturb the peace of Punjab every time before elections. The last time these people detonated a bomb in mode. But the 40 million people of Punjab are like a handful. We all have to hold each other's hands and live together. The people of Punjab will not allow the intentions of these people to succeed.

Crop in explosion. Involvement of located Khalistani group

The Khalistani group is now suspected to be involved in the Ludhiana court blast case. A Pakistan-based Khalistani group has been implicated in the blast. In the initial investigation, the agencies and the police have expressed suspicion of conspiracy behind the attack. There are 40 judges in the Ludhiana court. Here is the district secretariat along with the court premises.

Metal directors have been installed on two doors to enter the district court, but they are not working. In addition, security personnel were not present at both the gates.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the Punjab government to send a report on the blast as soon as possible.