Chandigarh Blast Case: Main Accused Arrested in Amritsar

AMRITSAR, September 13, 2024: Punjab Police have apprehended the primary suspect in the recent grenade blast case that targeted a house in Chandigarh’s upscale Sector 10. The arrest was made on Friday, with the main accused identified as Rohan Masih from Passia village in Amritsar Rural.

A joint operation involving central agencies led to Masih’s capture. Authorities recovered a 9mm Glock pistol along with ammunition from him. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed the arrest and announced that the other accused has also been identified.

The blast occurred on the evening of September 11, targeting the residence of retired Superintendent of Police Jaskirat Singh Chahal. According to police sources, Masih and a second accused, who is also being investigated, were involved in hurling the grenade. Masih, who worked as a carpenter in Jammu and Kashmir, admitted his involvement during interrogation.

Khalistan Link Emerges

The arrest follows a claim of responsibility posted by Khalistani gangster Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia, based in the US. The social media post alleged that the explosion was intended to avenge encounters during the militancy era in Punjab.

Chahal has been a target of Sikh militants since February 1986 when he was involved in a controversial police action in Nakodar. Four Sikh activists were killed during a protest march in Nakodar, an incident that has been linked to ongoing attempts on Chahal’s life.

Previous Attack Plans

The terror group behind the recent attack had previously plotted to assassinate Chahal in 2023. The Punjab Police SSOC had arrested four operatives from a terror module linked to gangster Harpreet Singh and Pakistani-based Babbar Khalsa International operative Harwinder Singh Rinda. This group was also implicated in an RPG attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali in May 2022.

In 2023, the group had conducted a recce of Chahal’s Sector 10 residence and planned the assassination. Police had recovered a .32-bore pistol and ammunition from operatives involved in that plot. The recent blast and the 2023 plot appear to be connected, with the same terror group targeting Chahal again.

Investigation Ongoing

The Punjab Police, along with the Chandigarh Police, continue to investigate the full extent of the conspiracy and are working to uncover any additional links to the terror group.

News by Hindi Patrika