Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked with a kirpan inside a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday, with police taking the accused, identified as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, into custody from the spot.
According to preliminary information, Singh is a lawyer originally from Pune and had practised at a court there. He has been associated with the Mata Sahib Devan Ji Gurdwara in Mugat, near Nanded, for around two years.
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The attack took place at around 1.45 pm when Badal was coming down the steps of the gurdwara after offering prayers. Singh allegedly approached him and attacked him with a kirpan. Police personnel present at the spot immediately intervened and overpowered him.
Police are now questioning Singh and investigating the motive behind the attack.
BADAL INJURED, SECURITY OFFICER ALSO HURT
Badal suffered injuries to his right hand in the attack and was taken to a hospital, where he received two to three stitches. He is out of danger, officials said.
Police officer Santosh Kendre, who was part of Badal’s security detail, was also injured while intervening to protect him.
Badal had earlier visited Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded along with his wife and Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Harsimrat Kaur Badal over the phone to enquire about her husband’s health.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an investigation into the incident. He also spoke to Badal and enquired about his condition. Fadnavis directed the Nanded police to investigate the circumstances and establish the motive behind the attack.
BADAL HAD FACED ATTACK IN 2024 TOO
Thursday’s incident is not the first attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal. In December 2024, former Babbar Khalsa International terrorist Narain Singh Chaura opened fire at him outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Chaura was overpowered by people present at the spot and handed over to police. Badal was performing ‘sewadar’ duty at the temple entrance at the time after the Akal Takht had imposed a religious punishment, or ‘tankhah’, on him over alleged mistakes committed during the Akali Dal government’s tenure in Punjab.
The latest attack has drawn condemnation from political leaders, with senior BJP leader R P Singh calling the incident “completely unacceptable” and urging a thorough and impartial investigation.
– Ends
Inputs from Kunwar Chand Mandle
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
