ISI-backed handlers behind Punjab BJP office grenade attack, five arrested

Punjab Police on Saturday announced a major breakthrough in the April 1 grenade attack outside the state BJP office in Chandigarh, saying the case has been solved with the arrest of five accused and identification of two key perpetrators who are still at large. The attack was carried out by ISI-backed handlers, they said.

The Counter Intelligence wing of Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Chandigarh Police, busted the network behind the blast, which authorities described as part of a larger terror conspiracy.

According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the probe has revealed links to foreign handlers and Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI.

Five individuals — Balvinder Lal alias Shami, Jasveer Singh alias Jassi, Charanjit Singh alias Channi, Rubal Chauhan and Mandeep alias Abhijot Sharma — have been arrested so far.

Police said the two main perpetrators directly involved in carrying out the attack have been identified, and multiple teams are working to apprehend them.

"The Punjab Police's counter-intelligence wing has achieved great success today, unmasking the conspiracy behind the bomb blast that took place in Chandigarh, Sector 37 on April 1. The perpetrators have been identified and there have been five arrests. Apart from the five arrests, two main perpetrators have been identified, and a police team is behind them," DGP Yadav said.

"One grenade and a few cartridges have been recovered. The entire conspiracy is connected to the handlers in Portugal and Germany," he added.

Police officials said the operation exposed a multi-layered module involving foreign-based handlers operating from Portugal and Germany, with ISI backing.

Investigators believe multiple cutouts and submodules were used to execute and conceal the operation.

The April 1 incident involved an explosion outside the BJP office, after two individuals allegedly arrived on a two-wheeler and hurled an improvised explosive device before fleeing.

While no casualties were reported, vehicles were damaged and panic spread in the area.

Forensic teams later recovered shrapnel and examined the blast site, while CCTV footage from nearby locations aided the investigation.

Hours after the attack, Khalistani terrorist Sukhjinder Singh Babbar claimed responsibility, linking it to broader extremist motives and threats.

Police now say the swift crackdown has "foiled an ISI-backed attempt to disturb peace in Punjab".

With the masterminds identified and further operations underway, authorities maintain that the investigation will be taken "to the top," signalling a continued push to dismantle the wider network behind the attack.

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