Two Explosions Rock Chandigarh’s Sector 26 in Possible Extortion-Linked Attack
Chandigarh: Early Tuesday morning, Sector 26 in Chandigarh was rocked by two low-intensity explosions, one near De’Orra Club and the other outside Seville, a popular venue owned by rapper Badshah. The blasts, which occurred minutes apart, have raised concerns over possible extortion-related violence in the city.
The first explosion occurred at around 3:15 am outside Seville when two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle allegedly detonated an explosive device near the club’s entrance. The blast caused significant noise and shattered the calm of the area. Barely minutes later, a second explosion was reported outside De’Orra Club, damaging the club’s glass windows. The blasts did not result in any casualties, but the damage to property raised alarms about the intent behind the attacks.
Immediate Response and Investigations
Upon receiving reports, police and forensic teams rushed to the scene to investigate the blasts. The authorities cordoned off the areas and began gathering evidence from the scene. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Dilbagh Singh Dhaliwal, the explosions are being treated as acts of intimidation, possibly linked to an extortion attempt.
“We received information about a personal issue involving someone at the location. When our investigating officer arrived, he found broken glass at De’Orra Club and a blast site outside Seville. The case is still in its initial stages, and our forensic team is working to gather evidence. The complaint was received at 3:25 am,” said Dhaliwal.
While investigations are ongoing, authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby cameras to identify the suspects involved in the explosions.
Possible Extortion Motive
Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosions may be connected to an extortion attempt, though no firm conclusions have been drawn yet. The timing and location of the attacks, as well as the use of low-intensity explosives, point to a deliberate act of intimidation.
This is not the first incident of such violence in Chandigarh. In September, a similar explosion occurred in Sector 10, where two individuals threw what was believed to be a hand grenade at a house owned by 100-year-old retired principal KK Malhotra. Miraculously, Malhotra and his wife narrowly escaped the blast, but the explosion caused significant damage to the property. Following that attack, bomb detection teams and forensic experts were called in to examine the site.
Ongoing Efforts and Security Concerns
The police are continuing their investigation into the recent explosions, and authorities have vowed to increase security measures in the area to prevent further incidents. There is also growing concern over the potential for similar attacks linked to extortion or organized crime groups operating in the region.
As the investigation unfolds, police are exploring all possibilities, including links to previous violent incidents in the city. Meanwhile, the owners of the affected venues, including Seville’s connection to rapper Badshah, are being questioned, though police have not disclosed whether the ownership plays a role in the motive behind the attack.
The explosions have shaken Chandigarh, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the city, and authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant.
