Chandigarh: Tension gripped Chandigarh after a grenade blast occurred outside the city BJP office, with a man later appearing in a video claiming the attack was carried out as “retaliation for Sikh killings.”
The explosion took place late on Wednesday night near the entrance of the Bharatiya Janata Party office, damaging vehicles and shattering windowpanes. No casualties were reported, but the blast triggered panic in the area and prompted a swift security response.
Police and forensic teams rushed to the spot and recovered grenade fragments from the site. The area was cordoned off and CCTV footage from nearby buildings is being examined. Senior officers from Chandigarh Police and central agencies visited the scene and reviewed the security arrangements.
Hours after the incident, a video surfaced on social media in which a masked man claimed responsibility for the blast, describing it as “a warning” and “retaliation for Sikh killings.” The authenticity of the video is now under verification by cybercrime units.
“We are treating this as a serious terror incident. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,” a senior police official said. “All angles—including possible links with extremist outfits and overseas networks—are being investigated.”
BJP leaders strongly condemned the attack. A local office-bearer said, “This is an attempt to spread fear and disturb peace in Chandigarh. We trust the agencies to identify and arrest those behind it at the earliest.” Additional police deployment has been ordered around key political offices and sensitive locations.
Members of the Sikh community expressed concern over the video’s communal tone. “Violence cannot be the answer to any grievance. Such acts only malign the name of the community,” said a Chandigarh-based Sikh activist, urging calm and a fair probe.
Security experts say the incident fits a worrying pattern of low-intensity blasts and targeted messaging aimed at creating psychological pressure rather than mass casualties. They have called for enhanced intelligence-sharing between Punjab, Haryana, and Union Territory police.
As investigators track digital footprints and possible handlers behind the video claim, residents are being urged not to spread unverified clips or rumours online.
The blast and its purported justification have raised fresh concerns over attempts to inflame communal sentiments, underscoring the need for a measured law-and-order response and responsible public discourse.
