Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], April 2 (ANI): An explosion took place outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Punjab's Chandigarh Sector 37 on Wednesday evening.

Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur said that the blast occurred at around 5 pm, adding that preliminary findings suggest the use of a 'crude' explosive device.

'At around 5 PM, we got information that an explosion was heard near the BJP Office in Sector 37. Our teams reached here, and prima facie it appears that a small, crude type of bomb was thrown here. NIA, FSL, Chandigarh Police, Crime Branch and Crime Cell teams have arrived here. We are investigating...' SSP Kaur told ANI.

Soon after the incident, teams from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh Police, Crime Branch, and Crime Cell rushed to the spot and launched an investigation.

Speaking to ANI, BJP Media Incharge Vinit Joshi said, 'At around 5 PM, a blast occured here, and a lot of smoke was seen. There was an atmosphere of panic after the blast. A scooty and a car were damaged. This is a matter of concern. A blast taking place near the party office is a matter of concern. For the last 4 days, the BJP State Working President was staying here and a blast taking place at this time is a serious concern...'

Reacting to the incident, former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh expressed concern and called for strict action against those responsible.

In a post on X, Singh wrote, 'Deeply shocked and concerned to hear the news about the blast outside the Bharatiya Janata Party office in Chandigarh. I urge the concerned authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation and ensure strict action against those responsible.'

Further details are awaited as the investigation is still underway. (ANI)