Blast in Ludhiana court complex, 2 dead & 4 injured; high alert in Punjab

Mangalore Today News Network

Ludhiana, Dec 23, 2021: Two people died and four others were injured in a blast that rocked the Ludhiana court complex in poll-bound Punjab on Thursday afternoon. The explosion took place in a washroom on the second floor of the District and Sessions court complex in Ludhiana around 12:22 pm, police said.

 

Police have cordoned off the area and fire tenders are on the spot. While the rescue operation is being conducted, a police official said an investigation has been launched into the matter.

Meanwhile, a high alert has been issued across Punjab and police have been directed to tighten security at public places. According to the sources, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked authorities to beef up security at court complexes in Punjab.

A crowd gathered outside the court after a blast was heard in the area. A video from the spot shows fumes coming out of the six-storey building.

There was a lawyers’ strike on Thursday and, therefore, only a few people were in the court complex at the time of the blast.

Walls of bathrooms were demolished, while the window glass was also shattered in the bomb blast.
The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said he would reach Ludhiana soon.

"There has been a blast in Ludhiana. I have quickly wrapped up a meeting and will now be going to Ludhiana," Charanjit Singh Channi said.

"Some anti-national elements could be behind such acts as assembly elections are nearing," Charanjit Singh Channi said, adding that "the guilty will not be spared".

He also mentioned that Punjab elections are near and the government is alert over such incidents.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, ’The chief minister and I are on way to Ludhiana to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of the tragic incident."

Meanwhile, a two-member team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to visit the blast site in Ludhiana. A team from the National Bomb Data Center was also rushed to the spot.

The National Security Guard (NSG) will also send a team to probe the matter.

Courtesy:India Today