Chandigarh: In less than 35 hours since a low-intensity blast shook the Heritage Street leading to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, another similar blast was reported close to the same location on Monday morning, leaving at least one person injured.
The blast took place at 6.15 am when there was less crowd on the street. There was no major damage to the buildings, though cases of windows of the buildings nearby and windshields of parked cars being shattered have been reported.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, who reached the spot in the afternoon, told media persons that a crudely assembled bomb was used in the blast and that no detonator has been found.
He said that the explosive was in a container. “It is too early to conclude if the blasts are an act of terror or a mere mischief,” the DGP added.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Naunihal Singh told ThePrint that various police teams, including anti-sabotage, forensic and bomb squads, were investigating the blast, which he said were aimed at spreading panic.
“The situation is completely under control,” Singh said, adding that the public was asked to remain calm and that everybody was requested not to spread any fake news.
Meanwhile, sources in the police told ThePrint that the two blasts seemed to be related as in both cases, explosion of a pressurised metal can had caused the blast. They added that the two blasts took place within a few feet of one another near the Saragarhi multi-level parking on the Heritage Street.
The sources said that, in the blast reported Monday, it is likely that someone hurled the pressurised metal can down from the top of the parking.
An elevated road bypassing the crowded narrow streets around the Golden Temple leads to the multi-level parking where the two blasts took place. Police sources said the inflammable material used to fill the can have not been identified, but it caused yellow markings on the spot where it exploded.
According to the police, the Saturday blast was reported at 11.30 pm. It was triggered when a passerby accidentally pulled a hanging rope that was attached to the pressurised metal can, which was placed on top of a building. As the can hit the ground, it burst with a loud noise and white smoke spread in the area. At least half a dozen persons suffered minor injuries in the incident, the police added.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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