The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated a probe into the petrol bomb attack on a homoeopathic clinic located on Mela Ram Road in Bathinda, opposite the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office. A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and two inspectors from the NIA visited the clinic on Wednesday, spending nearly one-and-a-half hours collecting information from the clinic owner, Dr Tarsem Garg.
Details of the Attack
The incident occurred on Monday night while Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was staying overnight in the city, less than a kilometer from the site. According to CCTV footage, two unidentified individuals arrived at the clinic. One of them, with his face covered, allegedly hurled a petrol bomb at the clinic’s outer courtyard. The blast damaged a Scooty and plants, and left burn marks on a window. No injuries were reported.
Threatening Calls from Foreign Number
Dr Tarsem Garg’s wife, Dr Rajni Jindal, who contested the recent municipal council elections as a BJP nominee, received a WhatsApp call from a foreign number approximately two hours after the blast. The caller reportedly identified himself as Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. Dr Rajni stated, “The caller had even sent two messages later with his name and ‘Hi’.”
Response and Evidence Collection
Two employees present at the clinic during the attack informed Dr Garg after the blast and extinguished the fire. Police and forensic teams later visited the scene and collected evidence. Dr Garg, who previously served as state secretary of the Punjab State Traders’ Commission, noted that the NIA officials sought detailed information from him during their visit.
