Nihang Attacks Sukhbir Badal With Kirpan in Maharashtra, Injures His Hand

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, police said.

He sustained a minor injury to his right hand and is undergoing treatment at Yashosai Hospital. The incident took place around 1.45 pm at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat, where Badal had gone to pay obeisance. The attacker was identified as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh Tejpal, a lawyer from Pune who had reportedly been serving at the gurdwara for the past two years. Police detained him shortly after the attack and are questioning him to determine the motive.

Badal’s security officer, Inspector Santosh Kendre, was also injured while attempting to protect him.

Doctors at Yashosai Hospital said Badal was being treated by a team of three senior surgeons for the hand injury caused by the kirpan. Surgery was being performed under local anaesthesia after his blood pressure was found to be elevated. His condition was reported to be stable and out of danger.

Senior officials, including Nanded Collector Rahul Kardile, Superintendent of Police Nilabh Rohan, the Inspector General of Police and the Civil Surgeon, were present at the hospital to monitor his treatment.

Fadnavis Seeks Detailed Probe

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought a detailed report from the Nanded Superintendent of Police following the attack. He also spoke to Badal over the phone and enquired about his health.

Fadnavis directed the police to investigate the circumstances and motive behind the assault. Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said authorities would also examine whether there was any security lapse.

Kadam said security had been provided according to the prescribed protocol, while noting that officials would review the arrangements at the site to determine how the attacker managed to approach Badal.

According to party leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Badal’s wife, over the phone and enquired about his health.

The Shiromani Akali Dal condemned the incident and raised questions over Badal’s security arrangements. Party national vice-president Sanjeev Talwar described the attack as a serious security lapse, noting that Badal, a former deputy chief minister, has Z+ security cover.

BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu also condemned the assault, saying political differences cannot justify violence. He recalled Punjab’s history of violence and militancy and appealed for peace and respect for democratic values.

Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon also condemned the incident, describing the attack at the sacred Sikh shrine as deeply distressing and unacceptable.

The incident comes months after Badal was targeted in another attack at the Golden Temple in December 2024. Former Babbar Khalsa International terrorist and Khalistani activist Narain Singh Chaura had opened fire at Badal while he was serving as a ‘sewadar’ at the temple entrance as part of a religious punishment. Badal escaped unharmed in that incident.