Punjab: Suspect seen throwing grenade-like object outside BJP office before blast

NEW DELHI: A blast outside the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Chandigarh on Wednesday evening triggered panic in the area, with police confirming that a crude explosive device appears to have been hurled at the site. No casualties were reported.The explosion occurred around 5 pm outside the party office in Sector 37. According to police officials, initial findings suggest that a small, improvised device was thrown towards the premises. Visuals circulating from the scene showed a suspect tossing a blue-coloured, grenade-like object before fleeing, with the blast heard moments later. Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur said authorities received reports of an “explosion-like sound” near the BJP office shortly after the incident. “Prima facie, it appears that a small crude-type device was thrown,” she told reporters, adding that multiple teams were deployed to investigate.Personnel from the local crime branch and operations cell reached the spot soon after the blast. A team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory was also called in to examine the site, while officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) joined the probe.The explosion caused damage to a scooter parked outside the building, though no injuries were reported. Vineet Joshi, head of the BJP’s state media cell, said the incident was deeply concerning. “We could see some signs on the boundary wall. Only police can provide details,” he said.