NIA chargesheets three over March 15 Amritsar temple grenade attack case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against three individuals in connection with the grenade attack on the Thakurdwara Sanatan Temple in Chheharta, Amritsar, that happened on March 15 this year, a senior agency official said here on Sunday.

Vishal Gill alias Chuchi, Bhagwant Singh alias Manna Bhatti, and Diwan Singh alias Sunny have been named in a chargesheet filed in the special NIA court in Mohali, Punjab, for their alleged roles in both the planning and execution of the attack.

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On March 15, two masked men on motorcycles, Gursidak Singh and Vishal Gill, allegedly carried out the grenade attack on the Thakurdwara Sanatan temple on Sher Shah Suri Road in Khandwala. Police suspect operatives of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) were behind the incident.
Gill’s association, Singh, was killed in a police encounter two days later.

According to official reports, Bhagwant Singh, allegedly provided shelter, concealed grenades, arranged motorcycles for reconnaissance missions, and offered logistical support both prior to and following the attack.

Diwan Singh has been chargesheeted for harboring co-accused individuals and destroying evidence.

Another prime accused, Sharanjeet Kumar, was arrested in Gaya, Bihar, on September 5.

“Investigations are ongoing against him and the absconding accused, Badalpreet Singh, who is believed to be overseas,” the official stated.

According to the agency, the probe has revealed that terror funds were funneled from foreign handlers to local operatives through UPI and MTSS channels.

The official added that efforts are currently focused on tracing the money trail, locating the absconders, and uncovering the international connections of the module, which investigators suspect was part of a broader conspiracy aimed at spreading fear and inciting communal unrest in Punjab and beyond.