After the explosion, family members inside the house took place outside the residence of Manoranjan Kalia, BJP leader in Jalandar district, Punjab on April 8, 2025. Image source: PTI
It was reported that the blast was suspected of a grenade explosion outside the residence of Manoranjan Kalia, senior BJP leader in Jalandhar, Punjab, and even resigned under the rule of the state chief minister in the ruling AAM AADMI Party (AAP).
Police said the explosion occurred around 1 a.m. outside of Mr. Kariya, the minister of Punjab and executive member of the BJP state.
Manoranjan Kalia’s file pictures | Image source: x/@kaliamanoranja1
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur said the police team had arrived at the scene and the investigation was underway. “We had information about the explosion around 1 a.m. and the forensic team is investigating. We have made sure of the area and are registering the first information report. We are checking CCTV, trails, etc.”
Grenade attack?
Ms Kaur said in response to questions about the explosion being a “grenade attack”, “the forensic team has collected samples once the report comes.”
“Security across the region has been strengthened,” she added.
Mr. Calia said: “About 1 a.m. I heard an explosion, and there was a strong vibration, which, to me, was an explosion or thunder from the Transformers.
Police officers gather evidence after ‘explosion’ outside BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence
The opposition party will rule the AAM AADMI Party (AAP) around the state’s legal and order situation. Singh Bajwa, a party member of the Parliamentary opposition leader, said the grenade attack on Kalia’s residence was clearly a reminder of the escalating violence in Punjab.
“If CM cannot ensure safety, it must step down”
“Since Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took office, it included the Mohali RPG attack in May 2022 and a series of grenade attacks on the police station in late 2024. This pattern has been significantly failed in maintaining law and order. If the Chief Minister cannot ensure the safety of his citizens, he should be reduced.”
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema said: “The grenade attack on former minister Manoranjan Kalia once again raises a major issue about the legal and order situation in Punjab. This is a big conspiracy to destroy Punjab.
Ravneet Singh Bittu, Secretary of State for Railway Unions, said the attack was a direct attack on peace, democracy, law and order in Punjab. “This outrageous behavior reveals the complete failure of the Punjab government and its inability to maintain security,” he said.
publishing – April 8, 2025 09:54 AM IST
