Punjab has recently experienced a series of three explosions within a span of fewer than ten days, targeting essential infrastructure and military sites. This situation has raised concerns among opposition leaders and security analysts regarding significant weaknesses in the Punjab Police’s counter-terrorism measures and intelligence operations.

The sequence of events began with a blast on the railway track near Patiala on April 27, followed by two low-intensity explosions near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar and an Indian Army cantonment in Amritsar on the night of May 5. These incidents have prompted heightened security measures across the region and have sparked critical discussions about the Punjab Police’s capacity to combat threats from cross-border terrorism.

The initial explosion occurred around 9 PM on April 27 in the Shambhu-Rajpura area of the Dedicated Freight Corridor in Patiala district. Authorities classified it as an “attempted detonation” involving a suspect who perished in the blast. Although the explosion caused minor damage to the railway track, it did not significantly disrupt passenger services.

Investigators quickly associated this blast with a Khalistani group backed by Pakistan, leading to the arrest of four individuals linked to the incident, along with the seizure of weapons. The Punjab Police hailed this as a “major breakthrough,” asserting that the group was operating under the direction of handlers based in Pakistan and Malaysia.

However, just over a week later, on May 5, two additional explosions occurred in quick succession, first affecting the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar, where footage captured a scooter igniting amid the explosion. The second blast took place around 10:50 PM near the Khasa cantonment area in Amritsar.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries in these incidents, but their proximity to sensitive military locations has alarmed security officials. The police quickly secured both areas, deploying bomb disposal units and forensic teams to gather evidence, while a statewide alert was issued.

Critics argue that the frequency of these attacks indicates a reactive stance from law enforcement rather than a proactive approach to security. Despite numerous claims of dismantled terror networks and thwarted operations, attacks targeting crucial sites persist.

Security professionals have noted a troubling trend involving low-intensity improvised explosive devices (IEDs) being used near railways, police stations, and military facilities, revealing ongoing infiltration and radicalization efforts that the Punjab Police have not effectively dismantled, even with high-profile arrests.

Gaurav Yadav, the Director General of Police, along with senior officers, has stated that ongoing investigations are examining the connections between the recent explosions and previous incidents.

However, the police’s recent history, including several grenade attacks on police facilities last year and railway blasts in Sirhind earlier this year, presents a concerning narrative of vulnerability within the state’s security framework.

Additionally, there are growing doubts about the efficiency of intelligence operations in border districts, where cross-border operatives are reportedly still recruiting individuals with radical tendencies.

“The timing of these incidents is particularly damaging in an election year. Punjab, already facing challenges from drug trafficking, gang violence, and unresolved separatist sentiments, cannot afford continuous security failures near its military and strategic assets,” commented a senior retired officer from the Punjab Police.

Opposition parties have pointed out that while the police may excel at making arrests after incidents occur, they fall short in preventative measures.

Bikram Singh Majithia, a leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), criticized the police’s response, suggesting that officials hastily labeled the Jalandhar explosion as a mere “scooter blast” without awaiting forensic confirmation.