In a significant development pertaining to the May 5 IED blast near the Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar, the Punjab Police, in collaboration with the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, have apprehended a suspect. The arrested individual is identified as Umar Deen, a taxi driver from Zirakpur, who reportedly had been living in the area for several months.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that Deen is suspected of planting the explosive device, which was allegedly concealed within a scooter. The blast occurred on the evening of May 5, shortly after the suspect had reportedly conducted a two-day reconnaissance of the target site. This incident was followed by a second low-intensity explosion near the Khasa Army cantonment in Amritsar on the same night.
According to preliminary investigations and CCTV footage reviewed by the Delhi Police, the suspect is believed to have boarded a bus from the Jalandhar bus stand shortly after the Jalandhar explosion and traveled to Delhi, where his subsequent arrest took place. Investigators are now focused on establishing his connections with other individuals involved in the incident and are actively probing potential links to handlers operating from Pakistan.
The investigation is also examining the possible involvement of Pakistan-based gangsters and intelligence agencies in orchestrating the attacks. While the police have remained largely tight-lipped about the specifics of the ongoing investigation, sources suggest that security agencies have interrogated over a dozen suspects in connection with these twin blasts.
Adding another layer to the inquiry, security agencies have also arrested Anil Sharma, a resident of Uttar Pradesh. The authorities are working to ascertain whether these arrests are part of a larger, more intricate conspiracy. The Punjab Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, had previously confirmed that Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were utilized in both attacks.
The Khalistan Liberation Army has reportedly claimed responsibility for the blasts. However, the DGP has previously stated that such outfits are often proxy fronts allegedly created and managed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with the aim of destabilizing the region and projecting Punjab as a volatile state.
The Jalandhar blast occurred at approximately 8:15 pm near the main gate of the BSF headquarters at BSF Chowk. The second explosion, near the Khasa Army cantonment, further heightened security concerns in the region.
The arrest of Umar Deen marks a crucial step in unraveling the network behind these incidents. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the entire chain of command, logistical support, and ultimate perpetrators, with a significant focus on the alleged external state sponsorship of militancy in Punjab.
Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses and police establish concrete links between the arrested individuals and their alleged handlers. The coordinated efforts between the Punjab Police and the Delhi Police underscore the seriousness with which these security threats are being addressed.
The Chenab Times News Desk