A.S BHOLA JOURNALIST/RAHUL CHOPRA
Nanded, Maharashtra: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked inside a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra, on Thursday. According to reports, a Nihang Sikh allegedly attacked Badal with a kirpan, leaving him injured in the hand. One person has been detained by police in connection with the incident.
Badal had reportedly arrived in Nanded along with his family and associates and was visiting Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur. During the visit, an altercation reportedly took place, following which a man in Nihang attire allegedly attacked him with a kirpan. Badal sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to a private hospital for medical treatment.
A police officer deployed for Badal’s security was also reportedly injured during the incident. Police subsequently detained one person and began investigating the circumstances and motive behind the attack. The exact reason for the altercation has not yet been conclusively established.
Police Investigation Underway
Nanded police confirmed that Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked inside a gurdwara and suffered an injury to his hand. Following the incident, one person was taken into custody. Authorities are investigating the incident and are working to establish what led to the confrontation.
Later updates from the Shiromani Akali Dal indicated that Badal was fine and in high spirits following the incident.
Badal Had Faced an Earlier Attack in 2024
This is not the first time that an attempt has been made to attack Sukhbir Singh Badal. In December 2024, a gunshot was fired at him outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar while he was performing sewa following punishment pronounced by the Akal Takht.
The attacker was identified as Narayan Singh Chaura. A security personnel intervened as the attacker attempted to fire, and the bullet did not hit Badal. The incident was captured on video and the attacker was subsequently overpowered and arrested.
The latest incident in Nanded has once again raised questions about security arrangements surrounding the SAD president and the circumstances leading to attacks against him.
The investigation into the Nanded incident is ongoing, and further details are awaited from the police.
