Published 16:22 IST, November 21st 2018
WATCH: Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh reveals identities of accused in Amritsar attack, confirms ISI link
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh, during a news briefing, has revealed the identities of the two accused who carried the Amritsar attack
In the aftermath of the grenade attack at the Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar’s Rajasansi village that took place on November 18, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, during a news briefing on Wednesday, has revealed the identities of the two accused who carried the attack and affirmed that the attack was instigated by Pakistan's ISI agency.
"(CM shows the picture of the accused) He was arrested by our CIA Amritsar and he has admitted to the crime. The other man, who we are onto, will also be caught soon. His name is Avatar Singh. They are the ones who threw grenade on the Samaj at the Nirankari Bhawan. We are onto the second person and it is a matter of time before we get him. Don't think he will be permanently absconding," said the Punjab CM during the press briefing.
He went onto issue assert about the activeness of Pakistan's ISI in targeting the country, while the Indian forces are combating their actions protecting the country:
"And since a very long time now, Pakistan and ISI have been very active. The passes in Kashmir have been closed earlier so you will find activity shifting south. This is something that we have to be on our guard and our toes. We will not allow these things to happen. I can guarantee you, peace will remain in this place. Now this will take less than 72 hours to trace these people out and catch him. The credit goes to the forces. But they are dropping arms in here. Since our government(Congress in Punjab) came into existence, we have busted 17 modules, 81 people have been arrested, 77 arms have been seized in addition to arms and ammunition of various types. We have been able to neutralize those packages ahead of them," he added.
Later, Captain Singh gave information about the grenade which was thrown at the Sangh at the Nirankari Bhawan, which was found out to be an asset of the Pakistan Ordnance Factory.
"This grenade is HE84. It is Pakistan Ordnance Factory grenade. It is made under the license by the Pakistan Ordnance Factory and it is filled with pellets- war bearing type of pellets. All citizens injured who are admitted to hospital in Amritsar have pellet wounds. Our pellets are different. This is a different type of grenade which they have used."
Concluding the press briefing, the Punjab Chief Minister stated that ISI is using touts like Happy PHD to create violence in the country. Persisting on his earlier statement that 'there is no case of communal business in this attack, he specified that 'it (Amritsar attack) was a pure case of terrorism.'
Updated 23:22 IST, November 21st 2018