3 killed, several injured in blast at religious gathering in Amritsar

Three people were killed and at least 10 others have been injured in a blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar’s Adliwal village on Sunday.

“The blast occurred at a congregation of the Nirankari, a spiritual organisation, in Adliwal village of Rajasansi town in Amritsar,” said deputy commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, adding that three people were killed and several injured. The police have not ruled out a terror angle to the blast.

The grenade was lobbed by bike-borne persons at a religious congregation of ‘Nirankaris’ which was being held at Adhiwala village, according to eyewitness accounts.

“My condolences are with the families of those who lost lives in this incident. It is an attempt to disturb peace in Punjab. I believe all the security agencies should stay alert and coordinate with each other to maintain peace,” Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress Chief, said today.

Those injured have reportedly been shifted to IV Hospital. Security was beefed up at the Delhi Nirankari ashram following the blast today in Amritsar.

Punjab was on alert following an input claiming that a group of six to seven JeM terrorists were reportedly in the state, possibly in Ferozepur area. The state was put on alert after four persons snatched a SUV from its driver at gunpoint near Madhopur in Pathankot district last week.