Grenade attack targets BJP leader’s residence in Punjab’s Jalandhar

A shocking incident took place in Jalandhar, Punjab, where a grenade was thrown at the house of BJP leader and former Punjab minister Manoranjan Kalia. The attack occurred around 1 am on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, while Kalia and his family were at home. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the grenade caused damage to a glass partition, a car, and a motorcycle at the entrance of the house.

CCTV footage revealed that one of the attackers arrived in an e-rickshaw, got down, and threw the grenade before quickly fleeing the scene. The footage is currently being reviewed by police as part of their investigation.

This is the first attack of this kind on a political leader’s house in Punjab. However, it follows a series of grenade attacks on police stations and other public places in recent months. Just last month, a grenade was hurled at YouTuber Rozer Sandhu in the Raipur Rasoolpur village of Jalandhar. These attacks have raised serious concerns about the law and order situation in the state.

Police launch probe

After the grenade blast, senior police officials, including Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur Randhawa, rushed to the scene. She confirmed that an FIR is being registered, and an investigation has started. The area was immediately sealed off, and police began examining the CCTV footage. She also informed the media that forensic teams were inspecting the site and would soon submit their findings.

Security across Jalandhar has been tightened after the incident. Important public places such as bus stands and railway stations have been given extra security to prevent any further attacks. Police are also reviewing surveillance footage from nearby areas to trace the attackers.

Kalia said the attack has clearly exposed how bad the security situation in Punjab has become. Describing the moment, he said he first thought it was a blast from his home’s generator or a nearby power transformer. His personal gunman tried calling the local police station, which is just 100 meters away, but no one picked up the phone. The gunman then had to physically run to the police station to inform them about the attack.

The delay in police response has raised eyebrows and sparked criticism from political leaders and the public alike. Many are now questioning the ability of the police to act quickly in emergency situations. Kalia said the glass door of his house and windowpanes of his car were completely damaged in the blast.

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Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sheetal Angural visited Kalia’s house around 2:30 am. He said the incident showed that even well-known politicians are not safe in Punjab. “If this can happen to a senior political leader whose house is just meters from a police station, what about the common man?” he asked.

The incident also attracted sharp criticism from other opposition leaders. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said the grenade attack is a sign of growing violence in Punjab under the rule of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Bajwa pointed out that since Mann came to power, there have been many violent incidents. He referred to the RPG attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in May 2022, and the multiple grenade attacks on police stations in 2024.

Bajwa said the recent attack clearly shows the failure of the government to maintain peace and order. “If the Chief Minister cannot keep the people of Punjab safe, he should resign,” he stated.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also expressed concern and criticized the state government. He said that earlier grenades were being thrown at police stations, and now they are targeting politicians’ homes. He warned that such attacks are a serious threat to communal harmony and public safety. Majithia also mentioned that the attack took place just a few meters away from a police station, which shows how bold and fearless the attackers have become.

Majithia held Bhagwant Mann responsible, saying he had failed in both his roles—as Chief Minister and as the state’s Home Minister. He emphasized that security must be taken more seriously and called for better protection for public figures and citizens alike.

As the investigation continues, police are trying to identify the attackers using CCTV footage and other clues from the scene. Forensic teams are checking the type of grenade used, how it was thrown, and whether the same group is behind other recent attacks.

The attack on Manoranjan Kalia has shocked the entire political community in Punjab. It has also added to the ongoing debate about the law and order situation in the state. While police are doing their best to trace the attackers, political leaders are demanding stronger action to stop such incidents from happening again.

Meanwhile, the public is watching closely, hoping that the culprits will be caught soon. The incident has highlighted the need for better surveillance, quicker police response, and stronger intelligence systems to prevent future attacks. It also raises questions about how safe people really are, especially in cities where violence has become more frequent in recent months.

In the coming days, more political statements, protests, and calls for accountability are expected. The focus now is on whether the state government will take firm steps to improve law and order and ensure such incidents do not repeat. For now, the police continue their investigation while the residents of Punjab hope for peace and security to return.