Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked with kirpan at Nanded gurdwara, security guard injured
Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at a gurdwara in Maharashtra's Nanded on Thursday, with police taking the alleged attacker into custody.
The incident took place at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Deva Ji in Muga village, Nanded district, at around 1:50 pm, according to the Nanded Superintendent of Police.
Badal was taken to a private hospital in Nanded for treatment. Akali Dal sources told NDTV that he suffered an injury to his hand and required stitches, but his condition was not life-threatening.
Attacker held, security personnel injured
The alleged attacker has been identified as Jaspal Singh, a Nihang Sikh who, according to sources, had been working at the gurdwara for around two years.
According to NDTV's sources, Singh allegedly tried to stab Badal in the stomach with a kirpan as the Akali Dal leader was walking down the stairs after offering prayers.
A security personnel intervened, preventing the attack from causing more serious injuries.
The security officer, identified as Santosh Kendre, was also injured.
A video recorded after the incident showed Badal walking with a saffron cloth wrapped around his injured right hand.
The attack on Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in Maharashtra has caused a stir..
— Siraj Noorani (@sirajnoorani) August 13, 2026
Reports indicate that unidentified individuals carried out the attack while he was visiting a gurdwara for darshan. In this incident, injuries were sustained by Sukhbir Singh along… pic.twitter.com/tAOC8e0VZy
Wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal was present
Badal had visited the gurdwara with his family. His wife, Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, was with him when the attack took place.
The police have detained the alleged attacker and are investigating the circumstances and motive behind the incident.
Fadnavis seeks details
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to the Nanded Superintendent of Police shortly after the attack and sought a detailed account of the incident.
The cowardly attempt on Sardar Sukhbir Singh Badal Ji’s life is deeply condemnable and a direct threat to Punjab’s peace and security.
— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) August 13, 2026
Violence and intimidation have no place in our holy shrines. The perpetrators must be exposed and punished, and those responsible for the…
Fadnavis directed the police to investigate the motive behind the attack and take appropriate action.
Second attack on Badal in two years
The Nanded incident comes nearly two years after Badal survived another attack at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
On December 4, 2024, a gunman attempted to shoot Badal while he was performing 'sewadar' duties outside the Golden Temple. Badal escaped unharmed after the attacker was quickly overpowered and arrested.
The 2024 incident occurred after the Akal Takht imposed 'tankhah', or religious punishment, on Badal and several other Akali Dal leaders over alleged mistakes committed during the party's tenure in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.
Badal currently has Z-plus security cover owing to the threat perception surrounding him.
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