Pakistan renews proxy war in Punjab? 3 blasts in 10 days raise security concerns

Two IED explosions struck near the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar and Khasa Military Camp in Amritsar within hours on May 5. The blasts have prompted a statewide alert as investigators examine suspected ISI-linked hybrid terror networks.

In Short

• Central agencies had warned of a possible strike near Operation Sindoor anniversary
• KLA said the Jalandhar blast avenged Ranjit Singh's disputed February encounter
• Police linked Bhindi Saidan and Patiala cases to alleged ISI-backed modules

Punjab witnessed two IED explosions within hours on the night of May 5, 2026, both occurring near sensitive installations — the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar and Khasa Military Camp in Amritsar. These incidents have triggered a statewide high alert and heightened security around border and defence sites, while also pointing to Pakistan ISI’s alleged insidious plans for Punjab. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav called it an ISI plot to “keep the Punjab pot boiling”. A string of three blasts in under 10 days, including the April 27 Patiala railway track IED attempt, has also pointed to serious security lapses.

A deeper probe shows that Punjab has been hit by a wave of hybrid terror-gangster incidents involving alleged ISI-backed modules, low-level local operatives, and Khalistani extremists. These include the Gurdaspur cop killings in February, the Bhindi Saidan grenade attack in March, the Patiala railway attempt in April, and now the twin May 5 blasts.

While Bhagwant Mann’s statement may have triggered a political slugfest, India Today has learnt that central agencies had issued an alert regarding a likely attack on the BSF camp in Jalandhar around the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor on May 7. Hours later, a blast near a scooter at the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar injured one BSF personnel, who suffered splinter injuries to his thigh.

The Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA) claimed responsibility, while Punjab Police believe the outfit is a Sikh extremist organisation with alleged involvement of Pakistan-based gangster Shehzad Bhatti. Police said the attack was carried out in retaliation for the death of 19-year-old Ranjit Singh. The KLA labelled the attack “Operation Nawa Savair,” calling it revenge for Singh’s death in a controversial police encounter in Gurdaspur, Punjab, on February 25, 2026. Singh had been accused in the murder of two Punjab Police personnel on February 22, 2026.

Two Punjab Police personnel — ASI Gurnam Singh and Home Guard jawan Ashok Kumar — were shot dead inside a checkpost near the India-Pakistan border while on duty. One was seated while the other was resting on a cot. Weapons were recovered unused, indicating a surprise targeted attack. Police described it as an ISI-backed operation allegedly executed by local youths for Rs 20,000. A little-known outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH), claimed responsibility through posters, though police dismissed the claim.

Following accused Ranjit Singh’s death, his family and local groups alleged it was a staged encounter, raising concerns over the police action. The KLA later circulated posters calling Singh a martyr and threatening further violence, stating they would “shed so much blood that everything will look red”.

GRENADE ATTACK ON BHINDI SAIDAN POLICE STATION

On the night of March 29-30, a low-intensity grenade blast took place outside Bhindi Saidan police station in Amritsar district near the Indo-Pak border. No injuries were reported. The KLA claimed responsibility through posters, describing the attack as part of “Operation Nawa Savair” to avenge “Martyr Ranjit Singh”.

Punjab Police solved the case by mid-April, arresting six accused in a joint operation. Police also recovered pistols and linked the attack to an ISI-backed module.

PATIALA RAILWAY TRACK IED ATTEMPT

On April 27-28, a low-intensity explosion occurred near the Dedicated Freight Corridor railway track in Patiala district along the Shambhu-Ambala stretch. The person allegedly planting the device, identified as Jagroop Singh from Tarn Taran, was killed while attempting to place the explosive.

Police described it as an attempted detonation by a Khalistani terror module with alleged ISI links. Multiple arrests followed, including Pardeep Singh Khalsa and others.

BKI TERROR MODULES BUSTED

On April 9 and April 16, Punjab Police busted major Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror modules in Amritsar and Gurdaspur, leading to arrests and the recovery of hand grenades, IED-making material, and nail-packed explosives.

While Bhagwant Mann’s statement has largely been viewed as political, Punjab Police and DGP Gaurav Yadav linked the recent incidents to the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. A statewide high alert has been sounded, sensitive sites have been cordoned off, and investigations are ongoing to connect the May 5 blasts with earlier incidents.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticised the government’s initial “scooter blast” narrative as “hollow” and accused it of downplaying the incidents. Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also demanded accountability, asking, “Who is trying to destabilise our state?” and pointing to a “serious breakdown of intelligence and security.”

TARGETED ATTACKS ON THE RISE

ATTACKS ON SARPANCHES

January 4, 2026 (Amritsar): AAP sarpanch Jarmal Singh from Valtoha village in Tarn Taran was shot dead at point-blank range while attending a relative’s wedding at Marigold Resort near the Amritsar-Attari Road. Two unmasked assailants in suits opened fire. He had previously survived assassination attempts and allegedly received extortion threats from foreign-based gangster Prabh Dassuwal. A key accused, shooter Sukhraj Singh alias Gunga, linked to the Dassuwal gang, was later killed in a police encounter on January 14.

February 18, 2026 (Tarn Taran): AAP sarpanch Harbinder Singh from Thathian Mahantan village was shot dead during a wedding function. Three motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at close range, injuring another relative. Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Landa later claimed responsibility through social media, citing a personal grudge. Police later arrested the main shooter and another accused following an encounter.

February–March 2026 (Jalandhar): Sarpanch Mahinder Singh of Boote Di Chhanna village was brutally attacked by five assailants armed with kirpans and iron rods, allegedly linked to drug peddlers he had reported. He later succumbed to his injuries. His family demanded martyr status for him.

ATTACKS ON BJP LEADERS

April 7, 2025 (Jalandhar): A grenade was hurled at the residence of senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia. Glass panes and vehicles were damaged, though Kalia escaped unharmed. Police later linked the attack to a larger conspiracy involving gangster Siddique’s associates.

April 1, 2026 (Chandigarh): A low-intensity blast occurred outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Sector 37. CCTV footage showed a suspect throwing the object. No casualties were reported, but the incident triggered a security alert and criticism over intelligence failures. BJP leaders used the incidents to attack the Mann government over its handling of gangster-terror threats.

ATTACK ON RELIGIOUS PLACE IN AMRITSAR (2025)

March 14-15, 2025 (Amritsar): Two motorcycle-borne assailants hurled a hand grenade at Thakurdwara Sanatan Mandir late at night. The blast damaged walls and shattered windows, though no injuries were reported. CCTV cameras captured the incident.

This was the first attack on a religious site in the recent wave of violence. Punjab Police and the NIA later probed possible Pakistan ISI links. The NIA eventually took over the case and conducted raids across Punjab in early 2026, pointing to foreign handlers and a wider terror network.

OPERATION SINDOOR

During Operation Sindoor — India’s counter-terror operation across the border — intelligence agencies uncovered and dismantled multiple ISI-backed espionage modules across Punjab and neighbouring states. Punjab Police DGP Gaurav Yadav and other officials described it as Pakistan’s “counter-strategy” involving espionage networks gathering real-time intelligence on military movements, sensitive installations, and troop deployments in border areas for future hybrid attacks.

Earlier this year, the BSF alerted the security grid about the use of China-made solar-powered CCTV cameras with built-in 4G/SIM connectivity for spying on security installations in Punjab. Pakistani intelligence agencies allegedly used these low-cost devices to conduct remote surveillance of Indian Army, BSF, and other defence-related sites. The cameras were reportedly capable of transmitting live video feeds of troop movements, logistics routes, cantonments, and sensitive installations directly to handlers in Pakistan through mobile applications.

Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence Wing recently busted two separate ISI-backed espionage modules. In the Jalandhar module, police arrested key operative Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha from Ferozepur and recovered a China-made solar-powered CCTV camera with a solar plate and 4G connectivity.

In the Kapurthala module, busted jointly with central agencies, police arrested two more suspects and recovered a SIM-based CCTV camera, WiFi equipment, and mobile phones allegedly linked to foreign handlers. Similar espionage modules were also busted in Ghaziabad and Delhi.

With Punjab sharing a 533-km western border with Pakistan, officials say the emerging trend points to a form of hybrid warfare in which terror-gangster networks allegedly backed by Pakistan’s ISI have emerged as a major security challenge. Police have made arrests and carried out encounters in nearly all cases, but opposition parties continue to question the Bhagwant Mann government over deteriorating law and order and the potential political and security fallout from the recent incidents.

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