Have Authorities Charged Three in the Amritsar Temple Grenade Attack Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The NIA has charged three individuals in the Amritsar temple grenade attack case.
- Investigations reveal foreign connections and funding for local operatives.
- Security agencies are on high alert due to recent terror incidents in Punjab.
- Efforts are ongoing to identify more suspects involved in the attack.
- The attack is part of a broader conspiracy to incite communal unrest.
New Delhi, Sep 14 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a charge sheet against three suspects in connection with the grenade attack at the Amritsar temple that alarmed Punjab in March.
This charge sheet was presented to the Special NIA Court in Mohali, Punjab, on Friday.
The three charged individuals are Vishal Gill alias Chuchi, Bhagwant Singh alias Manna Bhatti, and Diwan Singh alias Sunny, who are formally accused of participating in the planning and execution of the grenade assault on Thakurdwara Sanatan Temple in Chheharta, Amritsar.
The NIA’s official statement indicated,
“Vishal Gill was one of the two assailants on a motorcycle who launched the grenade in the early hours of March 15, 2025. The second attacker, Gursidak Singh alias Sidki, was killed in a police encounter two days following the incident.”
The agency further disclosed that Bhagwant Singh was instrumental in providing shelter, hiding weapons, and offering logistical support, which included the motorcycles utilized for reconnaissance. In contrast, Diwan Singh has been accused of harboring the co-accused and obliterating crucial evidence.
Another suspect, Sharanjeet Kumar, was apprehended in Gaya, Bihar, by the NIA on September 5 and is currently under investigation. The agency is also pursuing Badalpreet Singh, a foreign-based fugitive, alongside other unidentified conspirators.
“Investigations have revealed the transfer of terror funds from foreign handlers to local operatives via UPI and MTSS channels, which are under further scrutiny,” the NIA stated in its press release.
Additionally, the NIA emphasized that the terror module involved in the attack was part of a broader conspiracy orchestrated by operatives based both in India and abroad, aimed at instilling fear and fostering communal discord in Punjab and throughout the country.
Ongoing efforts are being made to identify more absconders and explore international connections related to the attack.
The grenade blast at the Amritsar temple is among several recent incidents in Punjab that security agencies believe are indicative of revived attempts by foreign-backed terror organizations to disrupt peace in the region.