A blast was reported in the early hours of Tuesday outside the residence of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoranjan Kalia in Punjab’s Jalandhar, prompting an immediate police investigation.
According to the Jalandhar Police Commissioner, Dhanpreet Kaur, the incident took place around 1 a.m., following which forensic teams and senior officers reached the spot. She said that experts were examining the area to determine the nature of the blast.
"Around 1 am, we got information of blast here, after which we reached the spot and started the investigation. The forensic team is investigating the matter...We are also monitoring the CCTV... The forensic team is investigating whether it is a grenade attack or something else..." Kaur told reporters at the scene.
Kalia, who was inside his home at the time, said he initially mistook the explosion for a thunderclap.
"There was a blast at around 1 am...I was sleeping, and I thought that it was the sound of thunder...Later, I was informed that a blast had taken place...after this, I sent my gunman to the police station...CCTV is being investigated; forensic experts are also present here..." Kalia stated.
Manpreet Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Jalandhar, confirmed that the explosion took place at Kalia’s residence and reiterated that forensic examination was under way.
"The forensic team will inspect and give the report. The incident took place at the residence of Manoranjan Kalia," Singh stated.
Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.
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