ISI link in Punjab twin blasts suspected; aimed to create panic ahead of Op Sindoor anniversary

NEW DELHI: The blasts that took place in Amritsar and Jalandhar in Punjab clearly have an ISI imprint, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has learnt. The twin blasts were carried out on the instructions of ISI-backed handlers based in Pakistan, the initial probe has found.

One significant angle that comes to the fore is the timing of these blasts. They were carried out just days ahead of the anniversary of Operation Sindoor.

The operation was carried out by the Indian armed forces on May 7 to avenge the Pahalgam attack. During the operation, the armed forces took down a significant amount of terror infrastructure in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan.

Investigators suspect that the blasts in Punjab were meant to send out a message to the security agencies that Pakistan is still capable of hitting India despite Operation Sindoor. While the timing of the blasts is one part of it, investigators also say that the bigger aim was to create panic in the minds of the people.

The blasts also took place at a time when the ISI has been desperately pushing for a Khalistan movement revival in Punjab. An official said that the ISI has been looking for locals who are radicalised to carry out such attacks.

The idea is to pick up radicalised youth and then guide them to carry out low-intensity blasts at regular intervals across the state of Punjab, the official also said. The role of some radical youth has come under the scanner of both the Punjab Police and the NIA.