Solan, Himachal Pradesh: A powerful explosion rocked the area near Nalagarh police station (Blast Near Nalagarh Police Station) in Solan district on January 1, 2026, prompting heightened security alerts and a multi-agency probe. No casualties were reported, but the blast created a deep crater and shattered windows of nearby buildings, including police premises.
In a development that has raised concerns, the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the lesser-known Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA) have purportedly claimed responsibility via social media. The inflammatory post, shared on January 1 from an Instagram handle, described the incident as an IED attack targeting authorities for allegedly failing to curb the production and smuggling of synthetic drugs from Himachal Pradesh to Punjab, which they claimed is destroying the youth.
The message named individuals—Gopi Nawanshehria and Kabal Singh—as planners and executors, warning of further actions if the issue persists. Authorities have not officially verified the claim’s authenticity, treating it as part of the ongoing investigation.
A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the site on January 2, conducting inspections alongside forensic experts who collected samples to determine the explosive used.
Himachal Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Explosive Substances Act. Special teams are scrutinising CCTV footage, while coordination with Punjab Police continues amid suspicions of possible external involvement, including links to Pakistan’s ISI aimed at regional destabilisation.
According to media reports DIG (Southern Range) Anjum Ara emphasised awaiting forensic results for clarity, while Baddi SP Vinod Dhiman urged the public to ignore rumours. A high alert has been declared across the industrial Baddi-Nalagarh belt, bordering Punjab and known for its pharmaceutical hubs.
The incident, occurring in a traditionally peaceful state, underscores vulnerabilities in border areas prone to cross-state issues like drug trafficking. Security has been intensified, with forces combing footage for suspects as the probe delves into potential interstate and international connections.
