On 14th May, Punjab Police arrested Zirakpur-based taxi driver Umar Deen in connection with the IED blast outside the Border Security Force (BSF) Headquarters in Jalandhar earlier this month. According to media reports, security agencies have also arrested another key accused named Anil Sharma in connection with the blast.
The blast took place on 5th May at around 8:15 pm when a parked scooter exploded outside the main gate of the BSF Punjab Frontier HQ at BSF Chowk in Jalandhar. Hours later, another low intensity explosion was reported near the Khasa Army Cantonment in Amritsar.
Media reports suggest that Umar had been living in Zirakpur for the past few months. He is accused of planting the explosive device outside the BSF office. His links with other accused and possible handlers are currently under investigation. Investigation agencies are also probing the role of Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti.
Delhi Police Special Cell had earlier detained a suspect after CCTV footage reportedly showed a man leaving Jalandhar bus stand for Delhi shortly after the explosion. Meanwhile, security agencies have arrested Anil Sharma, a resident of Uttar Pradesh. Investigators are probing whether a larger conspiracy was involved. So far, 17 people have been arrested in connection with the blasts.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed that improvised explosive devices were used in the twin attacks. Khalistan Liberation Army reportedly claimed responsibility, however, the DGP stated that such outfits are often proxy fronts allegedly created at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI to project Punjab as a disturbed state.
