Police Arrest Two Suspects in Bathinda Petrol Bomb Attack
A day after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) commenced its probe, the Bathinda police on Thursday claimed a breakthrough in the petrol bomb attack on a homoeopathic clinic located on Mela Ram Road, opposite the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office. Two individuals have been arrested, while a third suspect remains at large, according to a senior police officer.
“Three persons were involved in the attack. Two of them have been arrested, while one is at large, and efforts are underway to nab him,” the officer stated.
NIA Involvement and Clinic Owner Details
An NIA team comprising a Deputy Superintendent of Police and two inspectors visited the clinic on Wednesday, seeking details from its owner, Dr. Tarsem Garg. Dr. Garg serves as the chief warden of the Civil Defence Corps in Bathinda and is a former leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He also held the position of state secretary of the Punjab State Traders' Commission.
His wife, Dr. Rajni Jindal, who contested the recent Municipal Council elections as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee, reported receiving a WhatsApp call from a foreign number approximately two hours after the blast. The caller allegedly identified himself as Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. “The caller had even sent two messages later with his name and ‘Hi’,” Rajni recounted.
Details of the Attack
The incident occurred on Monday night, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was staying overnight in the city, less than a kilometre from the attack site. According to CCTV footage, two unidentified individuals arrived at the clinic, and one, with his face covered, hurled a petrol bomb into the outer courtyard. The explosion damaged a scooty and some plants, leaving burn marks on a window. No injuries were reported.
Dr. Garg stated that two employees present at the clinic alerted him about the blast and extinguished the fire. Police and forensic teams later visited the scene and collected evidence.
