A common thread has emerged in the recent bomb attacks in various parts of Punjab, with all those arrested having learnt how to make petrol bombs online.During the past fortnight, the Sangrur police arrested two youngsters for hurling petrol bombs at the BJP office. Similarly, the Patiala police arrested three youngsters for throwing a bomb at a house, while the Amritsar police busted a nine-member gang having links with a cross-border terror module that was planning to attack Jantar Mantar in Delhi during the students’ protest. A similar case was reported from Garhshankar where a bomb was hurled at a de-addiction centre. In two cases, those arrested were recruited online by foreign-based handlers. All these cases took place in the past fortnight and involve college dropouts — all in their early twenties.These recent cases have not only surprised investigating agencies but have also highlighted the dangers of unmonitored online content use by young people.“After we arrested the two for throwing bombs at the BJP office in Sangrur last Monday, the accused confessed that they carried out the attack and filmed it in exchange for an advance payment. Neither has a criminal record, and both were recruited online. The blast left burn marks on the outer wall of the building, but no injuries were reported as the office was vacant,” said Sangrur SSP Ravjot Grewal.Happy Singh and Jaspreet Singh were booked under the Explosives Act. “During preliminary interrogation, they revealed that they were in touch with Rana Bhai through social media, who sent them Rs 2,200 to carry out the bomb blast and asked them to send a video of the incident,” the SSP said.“They were recruited recently and learnt to make bombs online within days, which is worrisome,” she said.The police arrested three boys for allegedly hurling a petrol bomb at a house in Abchal Nagar, Patiala, on July 25. According to Patiala SSP Varun Sharma, the suspects filled a beer bottle with petrol, stuffed it with a cloth, ignited it and threw it at the victim’s main gate to set it ablaze. The bomb caused a loud explosion and triggered panic in the locality, with the suspects confessing they learnt how to make the device online.“The accused, all aged 21 and having a criminal past, used the Internet to make a bomb within days,” said the SSP.Last week, with the arrest of nine persons, including four juveniles, the Amritsar police had claimed to have busted two alleged ISI-backed cross-border terror modules and recovered three illegal pistols, nine live cartridges and four petrol bombs.Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav had said preliminary investigation had found that the accused were acting at the behest of foreign-based ISI handlers, who were attempting to recruit local youth for terror-related activities, procure illegal weapons, conduct surveillance and disturb peace.“It is high time we closely monitored youngsters online. Foreign handlers are targeting vulnerable youth and drawing them into the world of crime. The youngsters from Sangrur currently facing serious charges will encounter severe legal repercussions,” said a former IPS officer who served during militancy days. He said it was important to counsel the arrested youths or else they would stare at a dark future.