Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon during a visit to a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday.
He suffered an injury to his hand and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The attack was allegedly carried out by a Nihang Sikh while Badal was on his way to the langar hall of the gurdwara.
Here is a blow-by-blow account of what happened
Badal arrived in Nanded on August 12
Deep Dive
What led to Sukhbir Singh Badal's attack at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur?
Why is the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal considered a serious security lapse?
What were the previous incidents involving attacks on Sukhbir Singh Badal?
Sukhbir Singh Badal arrived in Nanded for a planned three-day visit. He was accompanied by his wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, besides close associates.
Also Read | Ex-Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked with 'kirpan' outside gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded
Thursday morning: Visit to Sachkhand Nanded Sahib gurdwara in Nanded
Badal first visited the main gurdwara, Takht Nanded Sahib, one of the five Takhts, or temporal seats, of Sikhism. Visuals reviewed by Hindustan Times showed Badal offering prayers inside the shrine, with Harsimrat Kaur Badal also present.
{{/usCountry}}Badal first visited the main gurdwara, Takht Nanded Sahib, one of the five Takhts, or temporal seats, of Sikhism. Visuals reviewed by Hindustan Times showed Badal offering prayers inside the shrine, with Harsimrat Kaur Badal also present.
{{/usCountry}}After paying obeisance, Badal was honoured with a siropa by the head priests of the gurdwara.
Below is the video of Badal offering prayer at Takht Nanded Sahib.
Next stop: Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur
From the main gurdwara, Badal travelled to Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, located on the outskirts of Nanded, around 15 km from the main Nanded gurdwara.
The gurdwara is associated with a Nihang Sikh sect and is not managed by the board overseeing the main Hazur Sahib shrine.
Also Read | Nihang in 60s, worked as 'sewadar': What we know about Sukhbir Singh Badal's attacker
The attack
After offering prayers at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur, Badal was walking towards the langar hall when the attack took place.
An assailant suddenly moved towards him and attacked with a Kirpan, a sharp-edged weapon carried by Sikhs. Badal sustained an injury to his right hand.
The attacker was reportedly a Nihang. He was dressed in the blue attire that nihangs wear and is reportedly is in mid-sixties.
Badal rushed to hospital
Following the attack, Badal was taken to Yashosai Hospital in Nanded for treatment. The attacker was detained, and police began investigating the circumstances and motive behind the assault.
Second attack on Badal in less than two years
Thursday’s incident is the second major attack on Sukhbir Badal in less than two years. On December 4, 2024, Badal survived an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Former militant Narain Singh Chaura allegedly approached him and opened fire from close range.
The bullet narrowly missed Badal after a security officer intervened and grabbed the assailant’s pistol. The bullet struck the wall of the shrine instead. No one was injured in that incident, and Chaura was overpowered and arrested.
The Nanded attack has once again raised questions over the security of the SAD chief during visits to religious sites.
(With inputs from Gurpreet Singh Nibber)