Month after Sector 10 grenade attack, NIA takes over probe

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the Sector 10 grenade attack from the Chandigarh Police. The transfer followed a communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in response to a request by the NIA.

An official confirmed, “The NIA had requested the MHA to transfer the case to it. The latter then informed the Chandigarh Police. The case files and evidence have been handed over to the NIA.”

Suspects with pak links in police net

• A CCTV footage captured visuals of the explosion and the auto-rickshaw; its driver Kuldeep held
• Days later, key suspects Rohan Masih and Vishal were nabbed by the Punjab Police
• Their quizzing revealed attack was planned by Pak-based terrorist Rinda and US-based gangster Happy Passia
• Rohan of Passia village in Amritsar was hired to carry out the attack

Notably, the police were ready with the chargesheet and were planning to submit it in the court this month itself. They were also considering discharging the auto driver as his involvement in the case could not be proved. “We have conveyed this to the NIA, which will take the probe further,” said an official source.

The incident took place on September 11, when two attackers travelling in an auto-rickshaw hurled a hand grenade at a house in Sector 10. Though no injuries were reported, the explosion shattered the window panes of the house. A CCTV camera captured visuals of the explosion and the auto-rickshaw, which led the police to track the vehicle. Its driver Kuldeep was apprehended within hours of the incident.

A team of the NIA had also visited the blast site on the day of the incident. The same day, a case under Sections 109 , 351 (2), 33, 61 of the BNS, Sections 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and Sections 13 and 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was registered at the Sector 3 police station.

Days later, the main suspects — Rohan Masih and Vishal — were apprehended by the Punjab Police. An interrogation of the accused revealed that the attack was orchestrated by ISI-backed and Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh, alias Rinda, of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and US-based gangster Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia. Rohan, a resident of Passia village in Amritsar, was hired by Passia to carry out the attack.

As per the police, the attack was aimed at retired Punjab Police officer Jaskirat Singh Chahal, who had previously stayed at the house. Sources said the attack was planned as a revenge for a 1986 incident in Nakodar, where four youths were killed in a police firing. Chahal was the SHO as that time. The victims were protesting a sacrilege incident. Chahal had vacated the house after a previous attack, linked to Rinda’s terror network, was thwarted.

No casualty, Blast caused little damage

On September 11, two persons travelling in an auto-rickshaw hurled a hand grenade at a house in Sector 10. No injuries were reported, but the explosion shattered the window panes of the house