Punjab Newsline | Gurdaspur
A powerful explosion rocked Multani Hospital in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur district, on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to the building and triggering a major police investigation. The blast was so intense that the glass panes of the hospital's windows and doors were shattered.
Senior police officials, including SSP Aditya, SP D.K. Chaudhary and SHO Maulakh Singh, rushed to the spot with heavy police deployment soon after receiving information about the incident. Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion may have been caused by a grenade attack, although officials are yet to confirm the exact nature of the blast.
During the investigation, police recovered CCTV footage from the area. The footage reportedly shows a suspicious युवक moving around the hospital premises for a considerable period before the incident. Investigators have taken the footage into custody and are working to identify and trace the suspect. However, no CCTV footage has yet surfaced showing the actual throwing of a grenade inside the hospital.
Notably, Dr. Amarbir Singh Multani, associated with the hospital, has reportedly been on the radar of gangsters for a long time. The hospital had previously been targeted in two separate firing incidents linked to extortion threats. Although no casualties were reported in those attacks, the latest incident marks the third assault on the facility, raising serious questions about security arrangements.
Police officials said multiple teams have been assigned to investigate the case. The entire area has been sealed, while forensic experts are collecting evidence from the blast site. Authorities are examining all possible angles, including the involvement of organized criminal groups.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Punjab. In recent weeks, explosions were reported in Jalandhar and Amritsar, prompting security agencies to remain on high alert. Frequent bomb threats targeting schools and government offices have also added to concerns over public safety across the state.
Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far, but the blast has created panic among residents and renewed concerns over law and order in the region.
