The NIA has carried out searches across Punjab as its investigation into the Amritsar temple grenade attack points to foreign handlers and a wider terror network.
Officials of the National Investigation Agency conduct searches at multiple locations in Punjab in connection with the Amritsar temple grenade attack case. | File Photo: IANS
The National Investigation Agency has carried out coordinated searches across Punjab as part of its investigation into the grenade attack outside a temple in Amritsar last year.
The raids were conducted at 10 locations spread across three border districts. Officials said the operation led to the recovery of digital devices and documents believed to be linked to the case.
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The investigation centres on a blast outside the Thakur Dwara Sanatan Temple in Amritsar, an incident that raised fresh concerns over cross-border terror networks operating in the region.
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According to officials, the searches were carried out in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur districts. Mobile phones, electronic devices and other material were seized during the operation.
The case relates to an explosion outside the temple in the Khandwala area on Sher Shah Road on the night of March 14, 2025.
After taking over the probe from the Punjab Police, the NIA identified two men involved in throwing the grenade. One of them, Vishal, has been arrested. The other accused, Gursidak, is no longer alive.
Investigators say the attack was carried out on the instructions of handlers based abroad. These handlers allegedly supplied explosives and weapons to spread fear and destabilise the region.
The NIA’s findings suggest that individuals in India were being recruited and funded to execute grenade attacks as part of a wider terror conspiracy.
The explosives used in the attack were allegedly provided by Sharanjit Kumar of Qadian in Batala. He is accused of receiving consignments from foreign handlers.
Sharanjit had reportedly fled to Jharkhand and Bihar after the attack. He was arrested by the NIA in September.
During follow-up searches, the agency recovered three hand grenades and a pistol that had been hidden in Gurdaspur district.
Officials said the investigation remains ongoing, with the focus on dismantling terror modules posing a threat to national security.
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