A major security alert was triggered in Punjab's Batala district on Thursday after a live grenade was discovered near a local school, bringing the region's ongoing struggle with gangster culture and extortion threats back into sharp focus.
Discovery Near School Sparks Panic
The incident unfolded on the morning of May 23, when a passerby spotted a suspicious object lying in a drain near the Government Senior Secondary School in the Batala city area. The individual immediately alerted the local police authorities. Upon arrival, a police team cordoned off the area and identified the object as a live grenade. The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was swiftly summoned to the scene to handle the potentially deadly device.
The police confirmed the grenade was live and of a standard military type, raising immediate concerns about how it ended up in a public place. The area surrounding the school was evacuated as a precautionary measure while experts conducted a controlled explosion to neutralize the threat. No injuries were reported, but the discovery sent shockwaves through the community.
Police Probe Points to Gangster Links and Extortion
Senior police officials have launched a comprehensive investigation into the source of the grenade. Preliminary findings strongly suggest a connection to the gangster networks active in the state. Investigators are working on the theory that the grenade was likely intended to be used for intimidation in an extortion racket, possibly targeting local businessmen or residents.
This incident is not seen in isolation. The police are linking it to a recent pattern of threats and violence orchestrated by gangsters operating from within prisons. The modus operandi involves using associates on the outside to plant explosives or make threatening calls to extort money. The discovery near a school is viewed as a particularly brazen act intended to create widespread fear.
Authorities are scrutinizing the possible involvement of gangs linked to notorious figures like Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, who are known to have networks extending across Punjab. The police are analyzing call detail records (CDRs) and CCTV footage from the vicinity to identify the individuals who planted the explosive device.
Broader Crackdown on Organized Crime
The grenade discovery has intensified the police crackdown on gangster activities in the Gurdaspur region. In a related development, the Batala police recently arrested two individuals identified as Lovepreet Singh, alias Lovely, and Manpreet Singh. These arrests were made in connection with a separate extortion case where threats were issued in the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Police officials stated that these gangs are increasingly using sophisticated methods and weapons to terrorize citizens for financial gain. The recovery of a live grenade indicates a dangerous escalation in their tactics. Security around sensitive locations, including educational institutions, has been heightened following this event.
The incident underscores the persistent challenge that Punjab police face in dismantling the nexus between organized crime, weapon smuggling, and extortion. It also highlights the ongoing threat posed by gangsters who continue to orchestrate criminal activities from behind bars. The investigation remains active, with police pursuing all leads to uncover the entire supply chain of the grenade and apprehend everyone involved in this alarming plot.
