Punjab govt ‘ignored’ vital inputs before Ludhiana blast: N.K. Sharma

Punjab Government is in a fix after the Ludhiana Blast case. There is a letter— carrying the Intelligence input regarding the ongoing ISI-sponsored terror activities—that was sent to Punjab Government several days prior to Ludhiana Blast. The letter to Punjab Government dated 14 December alerted that there has been rampant use of Drones by ISI of Pakistan, hence there could be a terrorist threat looming over Punjab.

“The ISI of Pakistan has adopted a new strategy of dropping consignments of arms, ammunition, explosive material, and narcotics from across the border by use of drones. Since June-2021, 43 drone sightings (36 times in the Amritsar sector and 07 times in the Pathankot sector) have been observed in the border area. Most of the drone sightings have been reported within a 5 km radius from the International Border,” the letter read.

The Letter further says, “The ISI has been using drones to drop consignments of arms, ammunition, explosive material including tiffin bomb IEDs, grenades, and heroin from across the border, which is a serious concern for the State security agencies. Further, it may not be out of place to mention here that the persons involved in the hurling of hand grenades at the CIA office in Nawanshehar on the night intervening November 07 & 08 and Air Force Station at Pathankot on November 20, 2021, are yet to be identified.”

“It is also worthwhile to mention here that as per intelligence inputs, Ferozepur area-based smugglers are very active and are in constant touch with ISI of Pakistan for smuggling consignments of arms, ammunition, explosive material, and heroin. One such module was busted by the Ferozepur police in August 2021.”

“Agencies had alerted the Punjab Government regarding a possible terrorist attack on which government and Punjab police remained oblivious”, said Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader N K Sharma.

Sharma further alleged that in the Ludhiana Blast case there shall be an inquiry against Navjot Singh Sidhu as “he is a close friend of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, ISI, and Col Bajwa.”

After the SAD, Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) leader too had alleged Navjot Singh Sidhu as conspirator behind the Ludhiana Blast. BJP senior Leader Tarun Chugh alleged Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Navjot Singh Sidhu for not blaming Pakistan behind the Ludhiana Blast case.