Two separate incidents, described as blasts or a major fire, occurred within hours of each other on Tuesday night near sensitive defence installations in Punjab, triggering alarm in the border state.
The first event took place around 8 pm outside the main gate of the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar. A parked scooter suddenly caught fire, causing significant panic in the vicinity. The impact of the explosion was felt up to nearly 300 metres away, shattering the windows of a nearby car and a shop while cracking glass panes in several other structures. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud blast-like sound audible up to a kilometre away.
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur stated that preliminary findings indicated an Activa scooter had caught fire. “We are still verifying the facts on the ground,” she said, adding that it was too early to determine if the incident involved a blast or any conspiracy. Authorities are investigating all angles, including possible technical faults or external interference, and are analysing CCTV footage from the area. Fire services required multiple units to extinguish the unusually intense blaze.
ALSO READ : Scooter Blast Near BSF Headquarters In Jalandhar Sparks Panic, Probe Underway
The scooter belonged to Gurpreet Singh, who regularly delivers food parcels in the area. He was approaching the vehicle when it ignited and promptly informed his father about the incident.
Barely two hours later, approximately 100 kilometres away in Amritsar, another explosion occurred along the outer boundary wall of the Army’s Khasa Camp on Attari Road. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Suhail Qasim Mir reported that fragments resembling metal sheets were found embedded in the wall, suggesting an explosive device had been thrown at it. Preliminary details pointed to masked individuals who carried out the act and fled the scene. No casualties were reported in either incident.
Amritsar Rural SP Aditya Warrier declined to comment on any possible link between the two events.
The developments drew sharp reactions from political leaders. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring described the explosion near the BSF headquarters as “deeply alarming,” highlighting risks in a crowded area and raising national security concerns for the sensitive border state. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia questioned whether law and order had collapsed in Punjab.
Punjab BJP General Secretary Parminder Singh Brar criticised the Aam Aadmi Party government, while Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa called for proactive measures to bolster safety and public confidence.
Investigations by police and security agencies continue as authorities seek to establish the full circumstances behind these incidents near key defence establishments.
