- Sukhbir Singh Badal, injured in a 'kirpan' attack inside a gurdwara, underwent surgery lasting about 90 minutes and is now stable, doctors said.
- Jaspal Singh was nabbed immediately after he allegedly attacked Mr. Badal inside Mata Sahib Gurdwara on Thursday (August 13).
- Mr. Badal, who was treated for hand injuries at a local hospital after the attack, flew to Delhi on Friday (August 14) afternoon.
- Jaspal Singh was presented before a court at Mudkhed at around 4 p.m., and the court sent him in police custody till August 24.
- Badal claims anti-peace forces are targeting him and SAD to disturb harmony; he will be discharged today and likely flown to Punjab.
- Badal was attacked by a member of the Nihang order inside the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Devan Ji Mugat on the outskirts of Maharashtra's Nanded town on Thursday, according to police.
- Police have yet to find out why the accused, Jaspal Singh, attacked Badal.
- Singh, who holds commerce and law degrees and is based in Pune, had been working as a sewadar or volunteer at the gurdwara for the past two years.
- The accused, aged 60-62 years, was staying alone in Nanded and has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for attempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt to a public servant.
- Badal survived an assassination attempt in December 2024, while he was performing 'sewadar' duty at the Golden Temple.
- The president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and former deputy chief minister of Punjab claimed on Friday that forces against peace were "targeting him and his party" with the objective of disturbing communal and religious harmony in Punjab and the nation.
- Badal stated, "A lot of forces do not want peace in Punjab and this country. They feel the Shiromani Akali Dal is a hindrance to their mission."
- He reiterated that his party was committed to communal harmony, religious brotherhood and peace in Punjab, adding that it would not be discouraged by attacks or threats.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Shiromani Akali Dal chief, is recovering after a 90-minute surgery for injuries from a kirpan attack at the Mata Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded. Doctors confirmed he is stable following treatment for a tendon injury and a sharp penetrating wound to his hand.1236791214
The attack occurred on August 13, when Jaspal Singh, a 60-62 year old volunteer at the gurdwara, allegedly assaulted Badal. Singh was arrested immediately and has been remanded in police custody until August 24 as investigations continue into his motives. Police have yet to determine why Singh attacked Badal, who previously survived an assassination attempt at the Golden Temple in December 2024.58
Badal, who was treated at Yashosai Hospital, is expected to be discharged and flown back to Punjab. He expressed concerns about forces targeting him and his party, stating, "A lot of forces do not want peace in Punjab and this country. They feel the Shiromani Akali Dal is a hindrance to their mission." He emphasized his commitment to communal harmony and religious brotherhood, asserting that such attacks would not deter him.
"Both times they attacked me at the holiest places - first at the Golden Temple and the second time at a gurdwara," he remarked, reinforcing his resolve against attempts to create unrest. Badal concluded with a Punjabi saying, "Jihde sir te Guru Sahib da hath hoye, ohnu koi aanch nahi aundi" (one who has the Guru's blessings, remains unharmed).
“Badal, who escaped an assassination attempt at the Golden Temple in December 2024, said 'Both times they attacked me at the holiest places.' Police have yet to find a motive; the accused, a 60-62-year-old sewadar with commerce and law degrees, was booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for attempt to murder.”
Deccan Herald
