A blast took place near the cantonment area in Khasa, Amritsar, at approximately 10:50 am on May 5. Local police and security agencies were quick to respond to the incident as soon as information was received. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties following the explosion. SP Aditya S. Warrier confirmed that police officers and army personnel swiftly arrived at the scene.

The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was summoned to diligently inspect the area. Additionally, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team was deployed to collect samples and evidence for further analysis. The collected materials have been sent for testing to ascertain the nature and cause of the blast.

SP Aditya Warrier stated, “At around 10:50 am, the police received a complaint about a sound of a blast near Khasa cantonment. Our police team, along with senior army officials, reached the location immediately. The BDS conducted a check, while the FSL team gathered evidence for further examination.” Preliminary investigations are currently ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover more details regarding the situation.

Political Reactions and Criticism

The blast has sparked considerable political backlash against the Aam Aadmi Party government. Bikram Singh Majithia, General Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), condemned the incident, labelling it a serious matter. He highlighted the Punjab government’s alleged failure to maintain law and order, questioning the circumstances that allowed such a blast to occur in a busy area.

Majithia expressed concerns over the speed with which the authorities appeared to reach a conclusion about the blast, characterising it similarly to other incidents downplayed as minor explosions. He called for intervention from the Union Home Minister and Prime Minister, asserting the need for urgent corrective measures while emphasising that the security situation in Punjab warrants national attention.

Punjab BJP General Secretary, Parminder Singh Brar, also reacted strongly, describing the explosion as a “chilling reminder” of the declining law and order situation in Punjab. He critiqued the state government for focusing on “optics and theatrics” rather than effective governance, highlighting the threat to public safety posed by such incidents. Brar reiterated that the people of Punjab deserved security and not mere excuses from the government.

Further Incidents and Concerns

Another incident occurred on the same day as a scooter caught fire near BSF Chowk in Jalandhar. Local authorities responded quickly to this situation, and similarly, no injuries were reported. However, both events have escalated concerns surrounding public safety in Punjab, particularly in light of recent security lapses.

Congress leader and Punjab MLA Partap Singh Bajwa expressed alarm over the explosion in Jalandhar. He described it as indicative of serious lapses in safety and emphasised the necessity for proactive measures to enhance security and public confidence. Bajwa urged the state government to transition from reactive measures to substantial, visible actions aimed at safeguarding citizens.

The issues concerning public safety continue to be a focal point of discussions in Punjab, especially after another recent incident involving a blast on April 27 in the Rajpura area of Patiala district. That event was reported to have resulted from a detonation attempt, with no casualties except for the individual involved in the attempt. Such incidents underline ongoing concerns regarding safety in the region.

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