The Shillong petrol bomb attack has raised fresh security concerns after two men on a motorcycle allegedly hurled an incendiary device at a building housing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Meghalaya’s capital early Thursday, October 22.
Police said the incident occurred in the Langkyrding area. Although the building suffered no structural damage, authorities have intensified security measures and begun examining CCTV footage to identify the suspected attackers.
Shillong petrol bomb attack prompts security alert
According to police, two men arrived on a motorcycle and carried out the attack before leaving the area. However, the security guard on duty did not realise that an incident had occurred until the following morning.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that the building had suffered no structural damage. Police have started investigating the incident and are examining available evidence to establish what happened.
Meanwhile, security personnel have increased patrols in the locality. Investigators are also reviewing CCTV recordings in an effort to identify the men involved and establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The latest incident has drawn attention to security at government establishments in Shillong. The building houses the ED office, making the attack a matter of concern for authorities responsible for protecting public premises.
However, police have not publicly established the motive behind the incident. Investigators will need to gather further evidence before drawing conclusions about the suspects or their intentions.
Shillong petrol bomb attack follows earlier incidents
The attack comes amid a series of reported petrol bomb incidents targeting government premises and other locations across Shillong in recent days.
On October 20, unidentified individuals allegedly hurled a petrol bomb into the compound of the Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training (DECT) office on Keating Road, opposite Civil Hospital.
The building also houses the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS). The incident reportedly took place at around 7 pm, prompting police to visit the scene and launch an investigation.
Before that incident, suspected petrol bomb attacks had also been reported at Keating Road, Kenches Trace and Laitumkhrah.
These incidents have increased pressure on local authorities to strengthen security and identify those responsible. Nevertheless, investigators have yet to establish whether the reported attacks are connected.
Police are examining evidence from the different locations as they work to determine the circumstances of each incident.
Police investigate the Shillong petrol bomb attack
Following the latest attack, police have begun examining CCTV footage to identify the suspected perpetrators. The investigation will also seek to establish the sequence of events and determine whether the attackers had targeted the building deliberately.
Authorities have initiated the process of registering a case, while officers continue gathering evidence. However, details about any arrests or identified suspects were not available in the initial report.
Investigators have not confirmed a motive. Therefore, any suggestion about the reasons behind the attack would remain speculative until police establish the relevant facts.
CCTV recordings could help investigators trace the motorcycle and establish the movements of the suspected attackers before and after the incident.
Additionally, increased patrols may help authorities monitor vulnerable locations and respond more quickly to further reports of suspicious activity.
Shillong strengthens security after repeated attacks
The district administration has responded to the recent incidents by deploying additional police personnel across the city and intensifying night patrols.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said the administration was taking steps to prevent further incidents and maintain law and order.
Officials have also introduced regular magistrate rounds as part of the broader security response. These measures aim to improve monitoring, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours when several incidents have reportedly occurred.
Furthermore, Baranwal appealed to residents to remain calm and help preserve Shillong’s communal harmony and peaceful atmosphere. He urged the public to support efforts to maintain stability while the investigation continues.
The authorities face the immediate task of identifying those responsible and determining whether the attacks share any connection. At the same time, stronger surveillance and regular patrols remain important measures for protecting public buildings.
For now, police continue to investigate the Shillong petrol bomb attack, while the administration works to prevent further incidents. The findings of the investigation should clarify how the attack occurred and whether those responsible can be found.
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