Chandigarh Police, along with a CFSL team, investigate the site following a blast outside the Punjab BJP office in Sector 37, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. (Express Photo by Jasbir Malhi)An explosion outside the Punjab unit office of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Sector 37 here on Wednesday evening triggered panic but caused no injuries, with the police launching a manhunt for two suspects and initiating a multi-agency probe.According to the Chandigarh Police, the blast occurred near a scooter parked outside the party office premises. The explosion was reported around 5 pm, following which office staff raised the alarm and alerted the authorities.Senior officers, including SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, reached the spot along with teams from the Operations Cell, the National Investigation Agency, the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, bomb disposal squads, sniffer dog units and local police officials. The area was immediately cordoned off.Preliminary findings suggest that the blast may have been caused by a crude or low-intensity explosive device placed in or near a Honda Activa scooter. The vehicle is said to belong to an office employee, identified as Harsh Kumar, who had parked it outside the premises earlier in the day. Police have recorded his statement as part of the investigation. Chandigarh Police, along with a CFSL team, investigate the site following a blast outside the Punjab BJP office in Sector 37, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi.)Punjab BJP leader Vineet Joshi said the explosion led to heavy smoke in the area and caused minor damage to nearby vehicles. “The windshields of a few cars parked close to the site were shattered due to pellets from the explosion. There are also visible marks on the wall where the explosive appears to have hit,” he said, adding that the exact nature of the device would be confirmed after forensic examination.SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said that prima facie it appeared to be a “crude bomb or a small improvised explosive device”. “Forensic teams are collecting samples from the site to determine the composition and origin of the explosive,” she said.Meanwhile, a purported video surfaced on social media showing a man allegedly hurling a metallic object towards a building before fleeing the scene along with another individual. Police said they are verifying the authenticity and source of the footage.Inspector General of Police Pushpendra Kumar said CCTV footage from nearby areas is being scanned to identify the suspects. “We are also examining the viral video and coordinating with multiple agencies to trace those involved,” he said.Story continues below this adSeparately, another post circulating on social media claimed responsibility for the attack. The message, attributed to a person identifying himself as Sukhjinder Singh Babbar, alleged that the explosion was a “grenade attack” and contained incendiary and separatist rhetoric.The police have not verified the authenticity of the claim and said it is part of the ongoing investigation.An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Explosive Substances Act against unidentified persons. The police said efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the accused, while security in the area has been heightened.Reacting to the development, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said: “First, there have been continuous grenade attacks on police stations in Punjab; then recently, a statue of Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar was vandalized in Hoshiarpur; and today, BJP state-level office in Chandigarh was attacked. This series of incidents indicates attempts to disrupt the communal harmony of the state. At the same time, the government of this border state has proven unsuccessful in preventing these attacks. As a result, the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab is now beginning to affect Chandigarh as well.”Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Punjab BJP