Punjab CM doesn't rule out terror role in Amritsar blast

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday did not rule out the involvement of ISI-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri terror groups in the blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village that took place earlier on Sunday.

Singh said, "The possibility of involvement of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed Khalistani or Kashmiri terror groups cannot be ruled out. Police teams have been rushed to raid suspected hideouts of the assailants and multiple teams are investigating various angles to crack the case."

Following the blast, Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora also visited the incident spot. He said that the incident was being "counted" as a terror act and more details would be found after investigation.

"We are taking this incident as a terror act. At this stage, it is difficult to establish the link but we will find out in further investigation. It will be too early to come to any conclusion. Overall we know that efforts were being made but in this particular case unless or until we come to the conclusive evidence we cannot say anything at this point in time. Let's not get into presumptions. As far as this incident is concerned, I would say that we will find out the truth and then will come back," DGP Arora said.

Three member team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) will also be reaching the blast site in Amritsar today.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder has already announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased and free treatment for those who got injured in the blast.

The blast occurred earlier in the day when few hundred people were gathered in a religious congregation at the Nirankari Bhawan in Rajasansi village. As many as three people were killed in the blast and 20 others have been injured in this grenade blast.