Chandigarh: A blast outside the Punjab BJP headquarters here on Wednesday evening sent people panicking, with police saying a "crude" device appeared to have been hurled. No casualties were reported.

A team of the National Investigation Agency was at the site to investigate the blast, which occurred at around 5 pm, a police officer said.

A scooter parked outside the building in Sector 37 suffered damage in the blast.

"Prima facie, it appears that a small crude-type device was thrown," Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur told reporters.

"We received information at around 5 pm that an explosion-like sound was heard near the Punjab BJP office," she said.

"Our crime branch and the operation cell also reached here," she said, adding, a team of Central Forensic Laboratory was also rushed to the site.

Vinit Joshi, BJP media in-charge, said, "... At around 5 PM, a blast occurred here, and a lot of smoke was seen. There was an atmosphere of panic after the blast. A scooty and a car were damaged. This is a matter of concern. A blast taking place near the party office is a matter of concern. For the last 4 days, the BJP State Working President was staying here, and a blast taking place at this time is a serious concern...”

He told reporters, "It is a matter of concern if a blast took place outside the party office."

The area also houses Law Bhavan and a petrol pump. PTI