Punjab police boost security ahead of Independence Day over ISI-backed petrol bomb threat

Indian intelligence officials warned that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is expanding its terror strategy in Punjab by using low‑cost petrol bombs alongside conventional explosives. The threat targets high‑footfall locations ahead of India's Independence Day on August 15.

Punjab Police have heightened security across the state after two petrol bombs were thrown at a Bharatiya Janata Party district office in Sangrur on July 25‑26. The attack was attributed to a Pakistan‑based gangster, Shehzad Bhatti, who is alleged to be acting under ISI direction. Authorities say the ISI is coordinating with the banned Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International and transnational criminal networks to move weapons and explosives into the region.

Since the start of the year, Punjab Police have busted ten terror modules and arrested 137 suspects, recovering a cache that includes automatic rifles, RDX‑based IEDs and hand grenades. The heightened alert also covers potential attacks on railway infrastructure, defence establishments and other public assets.