The grenade attack outside BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence in Jalandhar marks another deeply troubling chapter in the string of terror incidents that have plagued Punjab in recent months. The fact that this attack was allegedly orchestrated by a Pakistan ISI-backed module with links to banned outfits like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and gangsters such as Lawrence Bishnoi and Happy Passia paints a grim picture of the evolving nexus between terrorism and organized crime.
The Punjab Police’s swift action — cracking the case in just 12 hours and identifying Zeeshan Akhtar and ISI operative Shahzed Bhatti as key conspirators — highlights both the magnitude of the threat and the state’s commitment to preventing escalation. Yet, the bigger concern is the pattern emerging from these attacks. With at least 16 grenade attacks since mid-October 2024, the strategy seems clear: to instill fear, create unrest, and disturb Punjab’s communal fabric.
What’s especially chilling is the methodical execution — using e-rickshaws for mobility, targeting at odd hours, and often hitting symbolic or high-value targets like political leaders, police posts, and religious sites. The overlap between criminal gangs and terror modules is making the threat more unpredictable and harder to dismantle.
Manoranjan Kalia’s statement that he initially mistook the explosion for thunder shows how easily such attacks can blend into everyday life — until the damage is done. Fortunately, no one was injured this time, but the physical and psychological damage is real.
This latest attack demands more than reactive policing. It calls for:
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A coordinated counterterrorism strategy between central and state agencies.
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Stricter surveillance and monitoring of known associates of terror groups and gangs.
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Heightened protection for political leaders, police personnel, and sensitive public locations.
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Community engagement to prevent radicalisation and isolate terror sympathisers.
Punjab has long been a geopolitical flashpoint, and history reminds us how easily unrest can spiral if not addressed with both urgency and sensitivity. The state is walking a tightrope — and while the Punjab Police’s effectiveness is commendable, the frequency of these attacks shows that deterrence alone may not be enough.
