Khandwala temple blast accused killed in police encounter, another absconds

Chandigarh: One of the accused in the Khandwala temple blast case was killed in an encounter with the police, while another managed to escape, officials said.

The incident took place on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday when two unidentified motorcycle-borne individuals hurled an explosive device, suspected to be a grenade, at the temple in Khandwala. Following the attack, police launched a manhunt to track down the suspects.

Investigators identified the owner of the motorcycle using its registration number and later traced those using it at the time of the blast. Acting on intelligence, police located the suspects near Rajasansi on Airport Road and attempted to stop them.

However, the suspects opened fire, prompting retaliatory action from the police. One suspect was shot dead, while the other managed to flee.

The search for the absconding suspect is ongoing, police said.