Ludhiana: At least 2 people were dead in an explosion reported from a district court complex of Ludhiana, located near the police commissioner office, while 5 were injured. The explosion took place in the washroom on the second floor at around 12.22 pm. The second floor of the building houses has 8 courtrooms, but not many people were present on Thursday because of a strike. The area has been cordoned off by the police and the court premises are being vacated. One of the injured has been identified as advocate RS Mand.
It is not yet known whether the blast was from any cylinder as the second floor also houses the canteen of the court. But as the explosion took place inside the washroom, a cylinder blast might not have been the case. “I am going to Ludhiana. Some anti-national elements are doing such acts as Assembly elections are nearing. The government is on alert. Those found guilty will not be spared,” chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi said. All government offices will be thoroughly checked now in a security overhaul following the district court explosion. Former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh said the Punjab Police must get to the bottom of the case.
“Disturbing news of a blast at Ludhiana court complex. Saddened to know about the demise of two individuals. Praying for the recovery of those injured. Punjab Police must get to the bottom of this.” The incident comes close on the heels of the sacrilege incidents that rocked the poll-bound state. A UP man was lynched on Saturday after an alleged attempt to commit sacrilege inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. The man reportedly jumped the golden grills inside the sanctum sanctorum and picked a sword and reached the place where a Sikh priest was reciting the holy Guru Granth Sahib. The blast raises questions over the security of the government buildings amid continuous reports of drones dropping weapons in Punjab.