Ludhiana: A man and a woman were killed and several others injured when a powerful bomb concealed in a toilet ripped through the third floor of the District Courts here on Thursday.
The deafening blast took place shortly after noon, majorly damaging the roof and walls of the toilets while the bathroom grill collapsed on the vehicles parked on the ground floor.
Senior police officials, including Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, rushed to the spot. Forensic experts and dog squads joined the investigation.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sent a two-member team from Chandigarh to probe the incident.
The entire court complex and the District Administrative Complex were quickly evacuated. Authorities said that all government offices in the district would be thoroughly checked.
There were not many people in the courts complex as lawyers were on strike on Thursday.
Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said some “anti-national and anti-social elements” were indulging in terrorist activities in view of the upcoming Assembly elections. He warned of stern action against those trying to disturb law and order in the state.
AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said “some people want to disturb the peace of Punjab. The people of Punjab will not allow their plans to succeed”.
Kejriwal wished the injured a speedy recovery.
