Source The Hindu
NANDED / NEW DELHI — Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal sustained a hand injury on Thursday following an attack by a assailant wielding a ceremonial dagger (kirpan) inside a gurdwara in Nanded, Maharashtra.
The incident, which triggered immediate security concerns, occurred around 1:45 PM at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat while Badal was visiting historical Sikh shrines in the region alongside his family. Security personnel deployed with Badal swiftly intervened to overpower the attacker, preventing further harm.
Incident and Security Intercept
According to law enforcement officials, Badal—who is protected under Z-plus security cover—was descending the stairs after paying obeisance when an assailant dressed in traditional Nihang attire approached him suddenly.
Injuries Sustained: Badal suffered a 4–5 cm wound on his right forearm and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received medical treatment and two to three stitches. A police officer from the Special Protection Unit also sustained minor injuries while shielding the leader.
Current Condition: Officials and party representatives confirmed that Badal’s condition is stable and out of danger, describing him as being in “Chardi Kala” (high spirits).
Suspect Detained: Maharashtra Police immediately took the accused into custody. The suspect was identified as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, a resident originally from Pune who had been serving as a sevadar (volunteer) at the gurdwara for the past two years.
SAD Suspects Broader Conspiracy, Demands CBI Inquiry
Following the breach, senior leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal condemned the violence and raised critical questions regarding the safety of Z-plus protectees. Terming the incident a major security failure and pointing to a possible underlying conspiracy by “anti-Panthic forces,” the Akali Dal leadership demanded a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“This is not just a direct attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal, but an attack on the peace and integrity of the community. Repeated targeting of Panthic leaders points toward a deliberate plot that must be unearthed by a central agency.”
— SAD Party Spokesperson
Official Response and Political Reactions
The attack drew swift reactions across political lines:
State Probe Ordered: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level inquiry into the security lapse and directed the Nanded Superintendent of Police to investigate the attacker’s motives and network connections.
Prime Minister’s Inquiry: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Badal’s wife, Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, via telephone to inquire about his health and well-being.
Local Authorities: Nanded police and the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) are conducting joint interrogations of the suspect to ascertain whether the attempt was pre-planned or motivated by external groups.
Pattern of Threats
This marks the second life-threatening incident involving the Akali Dal chief in less than two years. In December 2024, Badal narrowly escaped an assassination attempt outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar when a gunman opened fire at close range before being neutralized by alertness from security guards. Thursday’s event in Nanded has once again heightened security concerns surrounding senior political figures in the region.
