Chandigarh blast case: Gangster with Babbar Khalsa International link takes responsibility

CHANDIGARH: With police already suspecting involvement of Pakistan-based designated Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu, alias Rinda, behind the low-intensity explosion at Sector 10 residence in Chandigarh on Wednesday, US-based gangster Happy Pasiha, also linked with a terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), in a social media post claimed responsibility for the blast to avenge the killing of four youths in 1986 at Nakodar, Punjab. The blast, triggered by an explosive device, was believed to be targeted at former Punjab Police SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal, who stayed in the house as a tenant before shifting to another place some six months back. The social media post, which has pictures of the four killed persons, wrongly mentioned the name of the former SP as Gurkirat Singh Chahal instead of Jaskirat Chahal and even claimed that they have eliminated him. But in actual, nobody was even hurt in the attack. Only window glasses and flowerpots were damaged in the blast. Cops suspected that the miscreants might have tried to kill former SP Jaskirat, who was posted as an SHO when four youths were killed in the police firing in 1986 following a sacrilege incident in Nakodar, Punjab. Terrorist groups, including Babbar Khalsa International, had been wanting to kill ex-SP Chahal. Meanwhile, one of the suspects, who had allegedly lobbed the explosive device, has been identified as Rohan, a resident of Pasiha village in Amritsar. According to information, Rohan was disowned by his family and had been living in Jammu for the past 1.5 years.Police teams have been raiding different parts of the Punjab to nab him. Meanwhile, UT police have formally arrested the auto driver, who was detained by a team of district crime cell within an hour after the blast. A case under relevant sections of BNS and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was registered in the matter. Various teams of Chandigarh and Punjab police and NIA have been investigating the matter. The UT police has also announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh for providing any clue about both the suspects.