Petrol bomb hurled at BJP-linked clinic near RSS office in Bathinda
Synopsis
Hours before Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann arrived in Bathinda for public meetings, two motorcycle-borne assailants firebombed a clinic linked to a local BJP family — directly opposite the RSS office. No one was hurt, but the timing and location have put investigators on alert for a possible political motive.
Key Takeaways
Two motorcycle-borne assailants threw a petrol bomb at Tarsem Garg's clinic in Bathinda on 23 June .
The clinic is located opposite the RSS office in Bathinda city.
Garg's wife had contested the Bathinda Municipal Corporation elections as a BJP nominee.
A scooter in the clinic courtyard was partially burnt; no casualties were reported.
An FIR has been registered at Kotwali police station ; CIA and forensic teams are on the case.
The attack occurred ahead of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's scheduled three public meetings in Bathinda district.
Two motorcycle-borne assailants hurled a petrol bomb at the clinic of Tarsem Garg in Bathinda city on 23 June, hours before Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was scheduled to hold public meetings in the district. The clinic, situated opposite the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office, sustained partial damage — a scooter parked in the courtyard was burnt — though no injuries were reported. Garg's wife had recently contested the Bathinda Municipal Corporation elections as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee.
How the Attack Unfolded
Tarsem Garg told police he received a call from his driver and accountant, who were present at the clinic at the time, informing him that someone had thrown a petrol bottle at the premises. CCTV footage from the clinic captured two individuals arriving on a motorcycle and lobbing the incendiary device before fleeing the scene. Police have since secured recordings from the clinic and surrounding establishments to identify the attackers.
Police Response and Investigation
Superintendent of Police (City) Narinder Singh told reporters that dedicated teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused. An FIR has been registered at the Kotwali police station. Senior Superintendent of Police Jyoti Yadav confirmed that the CIA team and forensic experts have collected samples from the site. 'It appears that some miscreants carried out the attack. The investigation is underway,' Yadav said. Authorities are examining whether the motive was a personal vendetta, a political dispute, or something else entirely.
Political Context and Security Build-Up
The timing of the attack — on the eve of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visit to Bathinda for three public meetings — has drawn attention, though investigators have not drawn any direct connection. Security arrangements in the area have been stepped up in the aftermath. The clinic's proximity to the RSS office and the BJP affiliation of Garg's family add a political dimension that investigators say they are not ruling out. Technical evidence, including CCTV footage and forensic samples, is being scrutinised to build the case.
What Happens Next
Police say they expect to make arrests soon, relying on camera footage and forensic evidence collected at the site. The investigation remains open across multiple lines of inquiry — political, personal, and criminal. The incident is being closely watched given its location and timing ahead of a high-profile government visit to the city.
Point of View
Timed just before a ruling Aam Aadmi Party chief minister's visit, is a confluence of signals that investigators cannot afford to treat as coincidence. Punjab has seen episodic political violence, and the BJP-AAP rivalry in the state has sharpened since the 2022 assembly elections. That said, police have been careful not to assign a political motive — and rightly so, given that personal disputes are equally plausible. What is notable is how quickly forensic and CIA resources were deployed, suggesting authorities are alive to the optics. The real test is whether the arrest, when it comes, is followed by a transparent account of motive — or whether the case quietly fades, as similar incidents in the state have before.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Tarsem Garg's clinic in Bathinda?
Two motorcycle-borne assailants threw a petrol bomb at the clinic of Tarsem Garg in Bathinda city on 23 June. A scooter parked in the courtyard was partially burnt, but no injuries were reported.
What is the political connection to the attacked clinic?
Tarsem Garg's wife recently contested the Bathinda Municipal Corporation elections as a BJP nominee. The clinic is also located directly opposite the RSS office in Bathinda, adding a political dimension to the incident.
What action have police taken so far?
An FIR has been registered at Kotwali police station. Superintendent of Police Narinder Singh said dedicated teams have been formed to trace the accused. CIA team and forensic experts have collected samples, and CCTV footage from the clinic and nearby establishments is being analysed.
Has a motive been established for the attack?
No motive has been confirmed. Authorities are investigating whether the attack was driven by a personal vendetta, a political dispute, or another reason entirely, according to police statements.
Why is the timing of the attack significant?
The petrol bomb was thrown on the same day Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was scheduled to hold three public meetings in Bathinda district. Police have not linked the two events, but security in the area has been stepped up.
