A shocking incident has emerged from Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, where a former patient of a de-addiction centre allegedly carried out a petrol bomb attack on the facility in an apparent act of revenge following an earlier dispute with the management. The incident, which took place in the Garhshankar area, has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of rehabilitation centres that cater to individuals battling substance abuse.
When did the incident happen
The attack occurred at the New Karma Social Welfare Society De-addiction Centre in Samundra village. According to a complaint lodged by the centre's Managing Director, Balwinder Singh Dhillon, a resident of Bharowal in Mahilpur, the incident took place in the early hours of July 30, 2026, at around 4 a.m.
Series of events
As per the complaint, the accused allegedly filled glass bottles with petrol, set them ablaze, and hurled them at the building. The bottles exploded upon impact, causing flames to erupt outside the premises. Staff members acted promptly to control the fire before it could spread further, preventing what could have been a major tragedy. Fortunately, no patients, staff members, or other occupants suffered any injuries, and no casualties were reported.
Identification of the accused
Initially, the identity of the attacker was unknown. However, after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident and conducting their own inquiry, the management identified the accused as Kuldeep Singh, son of Balbir Singh, a resident of Paniyali Kalan in Kathgarh, SBS Nagar district.
Background of the event
According to Balwinder Singh Dhillon, Kuldeep Singh had previously been admitted to the de-addiction centre for treatment. During his stay, he was involved in a heated argument with the Managing Director during a counselling session. The management believes the accused held a grudge over the incident and later targeted the centre in an attempt to seek revenge.
Police investigation on the case
Acting on the complaint, Garhshankar Police launched an investigation and swiftly arrested Kuldeep Singh. Police officials said the accused is being interrogated to determine whether he acted alone or had assistance from others in planning and executing the attack. Investigators are also examining the sequence of events and collecting evidence related to the case.
Need for stronger security measures
The incident has once again highlighted the need for stronger security measures at rehabilitation and healthcare facilities, where staff often deal with emotionally sensitive and vulnerable individuals. Authorities are expected to continue their investigation to establish the full motive behind the attack and identify any additional persons who may have been involved.
