Punjab blasts: DGP flags Pakistan ISI link after twin Jalandhar, Amritsar explosions
Synopsis
Two low-intensity blasts near a Punjab Army camp and BSF headquarters in a single night — and the state's top cop is pointing at Pakistan's ISI. With no group claiming responsibility, forensic teams at work, and the Chief Minister blaming the BJP instead, Punjab's security narrative is fracturing along political lines even as a serious probe gets underway.
Key Takeaways
Two low-intensity blasts occurred within two hours of each other near the Khasa Army Camp in Amritsar and the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar on the night of Tuesday, 5 May .
DGP Gaurav Yadav said the explosions may be linked to Pakistan's ISI , aimed at disrupting Punjab ahead of the Operation Blue Star anniversary .
No group has claimed responsibility as of 6 May ; an FIR has been registered and forensic examination is underway.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann attributed the blasts to the BJP's election strategy ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections , rejecting the Pakistan angle.
Bomb disposal squads, BSF forensic teams, and multiple intelligence units have been deployed; investigation is in coordination with the Army .
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday, 6 May said that Pakistan's ISI appears to be behind two back-to-back low-intensity explosions in Jalandhar and Amritsar, reportedly aimed at disturbing peace in the state ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. The DGP made the statement at a press conference after personally inspecting the blast site near the Khasa Army Camp in Amritsar.
What Happened and When
At approximately 10:50 pm on Tuesday, a low-intensity blast was reported near the boundary wall of the Khasa Army Camp in Amritsar. This came barely two hours after a separate explosion near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar. Both incidents occurred in proximity to sensitive security installations, raising immediate concern among state and central agencies.
What the DGP Said
Addressing reporters, DGP Gaurav Yadav said he visited the Amritsar crime scene, met with Army authorities to discuss mutual security concerns, and subsequently held meetings with senior officers of the Amritsar Commissionerate and the border range. "The area was thoroughly sanitised, and exhibits and samples were collected for scientific examination. An FIR has been registered under the relevant sections of the law, and the investigation is proceeding in close coordination with the army and other agencies," he stated.
On the suspected motive, Yadav said, "As of now, no one has claimed responsibility for the incident, but we believe it may be part of Pakistan's ISI designs to cause disruptions in Punjab on the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Punjab is fighting a proxy war against Pakistan on behalf of the country. We will proceed with the investigation in a synergistic manner to apprehend the perpetrators."
He added that multiple teams are analysing human intelligence, technical intelligence, and forensic evidence, and that the exact nature of the device would be determined upon completion of the forensic examination.
Security Response on the Ground
Senior Punjab Police officials, including the SSP of Amritsar Rural, reached the blast sites immediately. Bomb disposal squads and forensic teams from the BSF were also deployed. As of Wednesday, no group had claimed responsibility for either explosion, according to DGP Yadav.
CM Mann's Contrasting Claim
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann offered a starkly different assessment, condemning the blasts while attributing them to political motives. "Investigations into these minor blasts are underway. This is part of the BJP's preparations for the elections in Punjab... In whatever state they have to fight elections, they first instigate riots, cause small-scale explosions, orchestrate some infighting, and divide people on the basis of religion and caste," Mann told reporters.
Mann also sought to reassure residents: "Complete peace will be maintained, law and order will be ensured, and the guilty will be given strict punishment... Punjabis are peace-loving people."
The divergence between the DGP's Pakistan-ISI theory and the Chief Minister's BJP-election framing underscores the politically charged atmosphere in Punjab as the investigation unfolds. With forensic results pending and multiple agencies now coordinating, the coming days will be critical in establishing the origin and intent behind the twin blasts.
Point of View
Punjab has been a theatre for cross-border destabilisation, and the timing near a sensitive anniversary is not coincidental. But Mann's electoral framing, offered before forensic results are even in, risks muddying the investigation's credibility. The real test is whether the probe — involving Army, BSF, and state police — can deliver verifiable findings that rise above the political noise.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Punjab twin blasts on 5–6 May 2025?
Two low-intensity explosions occurred within two hours of each other on the night of 5 May — one near the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar and another near the boundary wall of the Khasa Army Camp in Amritsar. No casualties have been reported so far, and forensic examination is underway to determine the nature of the devices.
Who does Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav suspect is behind the blasts?
DGP Gaurav Yadav has indicated a possible Pakistan ISI link, saying the explosions may be part of ISI designs to cause disruptions in Punjab around the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. He stressed that no group has claimed responsibility and the investigation is ongoing.
What is CM Bhagwant Mann's position on the blasts?
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann attributed the blasts to the BJP's alleged strategy of instigating unrest ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. His assessment directly contradicts the DGP's Pakistan-ISI theory, highlighting a sharp political divide over the incident.
What is the current status of the investigation?
An FIR has been registered and multiple teams are analysing human intelligence, technical intelligence, and forensic evidence. The exact nature of the explosive devices will be confirmed after forensic examination. The probe is being conducted in coordination with the Army, BSF, and other agencies.
Why is the timing of the Punjab blasts considered significant?
The DGP noted that the blasts occurred around the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, a historically sensitive period in Punjab. Authorities believe the timing may be deliberate, aimed at exploiting communal sensitivities and destabilising the state's security environment.
