In a major success for Punjab Police, the prime accused who hurled a grenade at a temple in Amritsar was shot dead on Monday morning in a Police encounter. An encounter took place in the village Bal Sichandra near Rajasansi in Amritsar between the Police and the two men who had hurled a grenade at the Amritsar Temple. As per the information received, SHO Chheharta received credible information about the motorcycle used in the crime. After questioning its owner, Varinder, son of Nirmal Singh, resident of Rajasansi, the name of the accused came to light.
Both the accused have been identified as Gursidak alias Siddiqui son of Jagjit Singh resident of village Bal, Amritsar, and Vishal alias Chui, son of Raju, resident of Rajasansi, Amritsar. On Mondar morning, specific information was received about the accused, who were roaming in the area of Rajasansi. Police parties of the CIA and SHO Chheharta were formed to nab them.
When SHO Chheharta tried to stop the accused's motorcycle, they left their motorcycle and opened fire on the police party. One bullet hit Constable Gurpreet Singh's left hand, one bullet hit Inspector Amolak Singh's turban, and one bullet hit the police vehicle. Inspector Vinod Kumar fired from his pistol in self-defense, injuring the accused Gursidak.
The other accused managed to escape from the spot. Gursidak died due to injuries.
Grenade Attack at Amritsar Temple
On March 14, a bomb blast took place in the Thakurdwara temple located in the Khandwala area of Amritsar. Two bike-borne men were caught on CCTV hurling a bomb, allegedly a grenade, at the temple. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI is behind such attacks.
Addressing the media, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said, "We received information late at night about an attack on a temple in the Khandwala area. The CCTV footage clearly shows two youths carrying out the attack. We reached the spot immediately and have started an investigation. The identity of the attackers will be established soon, and they will be arrested at the earliest.”
He further added that the incident appears to be a part of a larger conspiracy, alleging that “Pakistan’s ISI is behind this act. They are misleading innocent youths and using them for such nefarious activities.”
During the investigation, it was revealed that both the youths had come on a motorcycle; they had a flag on their bike so that these accused could take advantage of the Hola Mohalla and escape from the police.
After the attack on the temple, priest Murari Lal Sharma was also sleeping inside, but luckily, he escaped unhurt. He reached the Cheharta police station at night and informed them about the incident.